Ombili clinic is a white elephant

OTJIWARONGO, 28 MAR – Residents of Ombili in Otjiwarongo have accused the Ministry of Health and Social Services of abandoning a clinic structure built in their informal settlement.
The health ministry in 2014 constructed two prefabricated structures and equipped them with air conditioners, flushing toilets, clean drinking water, electricity and a wire fence in the new Ombili informal settlement.
Hundreds of residents then started to receive their Tuberculosis (TB) medication and health promotional information at the clinic.
According to aggrieved residents, such services ceased in March 2017, because a nurse who was placed there went on retirement.
Since then, this medical health point or clinic has been non-operational.
“We requested them several times to re-open it, but still there is nothing happening,” said Ombili community activist, Jacob Hausiku in an interview with Nampa on Monday.
Hausiku said the Otjozondjupa regional health leadership knows very well the critical need of a clinic in Ombili that should provide medical services to nearly 5 000 residents here.
The clinic is supposed to cater for residents of old and new Ombili, and partly the Tsaraxa-Aibes informal settlement.
A concerned resident, Erwin Nepolo, said it should be a shame for the ministry to waste Government money in such a manner, by setting up a fully resourced structure without using it.
“The place has become dirty because it is not used. Give us the tender to keep it clean,” said Nepolo.
Another resident, Vellentinus Muyambo, also accused the regional health directorate of abandoning a good structure, allegedly due to poor leadership.
Contacted for comment on Tuesday, Otjozondjupa Acting Health Director, Jeremia Ndataneke said it saddens him too to see that building standing without being utilised for its intended purposes.
“However, since I am only acting this week, I will not know exactly what is happening. Talk to our primary health care supervisor,” he said.
Otjiwarongo District Primary Health Care Supervisor, Nathalia Mathew referred Nampa to the Senior Medical Officer of Otjiwarongo District, Dr Justin Mutombo.
However, Mutombo said he is not authorised to speak to the media.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Manga Libita did not answer calls made to her mobilephone and office telephone, and a text message and e-mail sent to her on the same matter on Tuesday.

NAMPA