Martin Endjala
The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) recently opened new roadside wellness clinics to support health and safety in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zambia.
The clinics are along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (WBSLDC) in DRC (Kasumbalesa Border Post) and Zambia (Kasumbalesa Border Post), as well as in DRC (Lufu Border Post) and Angola (Luvo Border Post).
According to the company, the expansion of the health infrastructure aims to improve access to essential health services for truck drivers, cross-border traders, and local communities who rely on these vital trade routes.
This was done with funding support from the SADC secretariat and in collaboration with the governments of DRC, Zambia and Angola through their respective ministries of health.
According to Mbahupu Tjivikua, the WBCG’s chief executive officer, the health of drivers and surrounding communities along transportation corridors is a top priority for the organization.
By setting up new wellness clinics, Tjivikua said WBCG aims to not only foster economic growth but also ensure the well-being of everyone who relies on these routes.
“The new wellness clinics are a continuation of WBCG’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all those who work along the corridors, from drivers who navigate long-distance routes to traders and local community members,” he said.
He believes the clinics will provide critical health services, including HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, counselling, primary healthcare, and referrals in addition to information and education on road safety and health best practices.
He further added that the Walvis Bay Corridors are essential for economic growth across the region, connecting the Namibian ports to landlocked countries and facilitating regional and international trade.
Tjivikua acknowledges that there are points of high health vulnerability because drivers and traders often lack regular access to healthcare, leading to increased health risks.
As such, he believes the WBCG’s new clinics are designed to meet these unique challenges by bringing healthcare closer to high-traffic areas, ensuring that essential services are accessible and impactful.
Edward Shivute, WBCG’s Wellness Project Manager said, “The clinics will provide unparalleled health and wellness solutions that transcend geographical boundaries, and we will offer a comprehensive range of health services designed to optimise physical, mental, and emotional well-being.”
As a key player in the transport and logistics industry within the SADC region, he said WBCG plays a crucial role in facilitating the seamless flow of trade and further provides targeted health and wellness services.
According to the group, the initiative is made possible through WBCG’s partnerships with SADC, government health ministries, and donor agencies.
The clinics in the DRC, Angola, and Zambia are a significant addition to the existing network of WBCG wellness centres that currently operate across Southern Africa.
The WBCG indicated that it will continue to assess needs along each corridor and adapt services to emerging health and safety challenges.
