Martin Endjala
Mukoya Laurentius, the Ndiyona constituency councillor says that residents are struggling to access health services due to poor road infrastructure.
Laurentius told the Windhoek Observer that many residents are unable to access the necessary health services because the distance to Rundu State Hospital is too far to walk.
He said many residents who fall sick are left to care for themselves, a situation that has resulted in several deaths.
“The road issue in Ndiyona is a big problem. Residents cannot walk long distances because it is just too far,” he said.
Laurentius said he alerted the Office of the Prime Minister, the Roads Authority, the Works and Transport Ministry, the Finance Ministry and all relevant authorities about the situation last year.
“Until now, we do not see anything happening. We do not want things on paper. We want to see the actual work being done,” he said.
The councillor argued that the issue is not new and has been present for many years.
He said residents who go to seek health assistance normally opt to sleep at the hospital because returning unattended is not an option.
The constituency has a high unemployment rate, with many people struggling to make ends meet.
He said only those with 4×4 vehicles have it easy, and those who need transport will need to sell cattle, which many do not have.
“How many more lives must we lose for the central government to actually treat this issue as an urgent matter? We seriously need help here in Ndiyona and surroundings,” he said.
Responding to the issue of access to health services, Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shangula explained that the ministry has built clinics in rural areas, but not in all villages.
He revealed that the ministry regularly, depending on needs, carries out outreach services in areas without fixed clinics.
Based on patients’ conditions, transfers are then made, and when needed, transport is provided.
He advised that the relevant leaders of villages facing such difficulties should contact the region’s health ministry to ensure that health officials carry out the outreach services as needed.
Last year, the Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, announced a rigorous road construction approach to address road concerns.
He indicated that they had phased out the construction of roads to ensure that some activities were taking place in every region.
This is to ensure that they work on many projects in all corners of the country instead of doing one major project in one region while other regions’ initiatives are on hold due to a lack of funds.
The project phase will cover areas such as Epukiro Road, which will eventually go up to Eiseb Block, and they will do the same for Gam, Tsumkwe, Shikerete, Khaudum, and Ndiyona roads.
The total phase cost is N$29.9 million, of which phase one will be completed in 10 months and cover the first 10km of the 28km stretch. Phase two will comprise the last 18km.
The RA and the Ministry of Works and Transport did not respond to questions sent to them by the time of publishing this article.
