Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament, Winnie Moongo, has strongly condemned the closure of the Mashare Village Clinic in the Kavango East region.
The clinic, situated east of Rundu, has reportedly been shut down due to a severe lack of potable water, hindering healthcare professionals from carrying out their crucial duties.
Moongo expressed deep concern over the potential implications for the health and well-being of community members who depend on the clinic for primary healthcare services. Stating that the Ministry of Health has abandoned its duty and commitment to providing accessible and quality health services to the surrounding communities.
“The Ministry of Health cannot, under any circumstances, allow the lives of our fellow Namibians to be jeopardised due to the unavailability of crucial healthcare services. It is disheartening to note that for the past six months, the Mashare community has been deprived of access to essential healthcare, a situation exacerbated by the clinic’s closure,” said Moongo.
Highlighting the historical prevalence of leprosy cases in the Mashare community in 2011, Moongo underscored the importance of healthcare services in the region.
“This fact underscores the critical importance of healthcare services in this community and highlights the potential risks associated with the prolonged closure of the clinic,” she stressed.
Moongo further called upon the ministry to reopen the clinic and address the water supply issue promptly.
In addition, she urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform to expedite the reconnection of water access to the clinic and ensure healthcare professionals have access to portable water to execute their duties effectively.
However, in response to these allegations, Ministry of Health and Social Services spokesperson Walters Kamaya refuted claims of a complete clinic closure.
Kamaya said the borehole pump at Mashare Clinic stopped operating around October 2023, and measures were taken to provide water to the clinic through a mobile tank and containers from Rundu Intermediate Hospital. Currently, he said plans are underway for the procurement of a new borehole pump.
“The Clinic did not close at any point. Services were not discontinued,” Kamaya stated emphatically.
He further dismissed social media reports as “fake news” and cautioned against irresponsible practices, emphasising the potential risk to public health caused by misinformation.
