Construction of a health centre for the Topnaar community commenced about a month ago in the Utuseb settlement about 90km southeast of Walvis Bay. Topnaar Chief, Seth Kooitjie said at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday this health facility is an extension of the Walvis Bay hospital, as apart from a community clinic would be utilised for HIV and TB patients.
Topnaar Chief Seth Kooitjie told the namib times he cam…paigned the idea of a health centre for the past 4 years whenever and wherever in the circles of representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
“When I was at Opuwo for a meeting I shook hands with Dr Richard Kamwi, the Minister of Health and Social Services.
As a visionary he was keen on the project. It was truly a long time struggle from my side and my community to get this from the ground. Today we have the groundbreaking of this idea”, Chief Kooitjie explained proudly this week.
The women in our community assisted me with all arrangements.
With the Namibia Port Authority (Namport) contributing 50% towards this project, and 50% from the Ministry’s account, this dream became a reality,” Kooitjie further explained.
Mr Cornelius Nuunyango, Primary Health Care Supervisor in Erongo also attended the groundbreaking on Tuesday. He explained the climate at Utuseb and the wider Rooibank area will be to the benefit of patients, especially for HIV and TB patients, due to the fact that it is free of pollutants and relatively dry.
On behalf of the Namport delegation, Fonda Shimuafeni, reiterated the Port Authority’s commitment to projects aimed at developing service delivery to the nation, specifically health. “It also serves as benefit to future generations”, Shimuafeni added.
Upon completion of the health centre, staff of the Ministry of Health and Social Services will take full charge of the facility in terms of equipping and staff.