11 pro-bono doctors boost Katutura Health Centre, serving 162000 patients

Katutura Health Centre, which serves over 162 000 people according to official statistics from the health ministry, is receiving critical support through a new partnership between the ministry and the private sector. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said on Monday that 11 private doctors will begin rendering evening services free of charge from 1 July.Luvindao said this move is aimed at relieving pressure on one of Namibia’s busiest health facilities.The minister described the doctors’ commitment as an act of national service. She praised their contribution, saying their decision to serve without financial reward embodies the spirit of 'ubuntu' and reflects a deep sense of civic responsibility.Reports revealed that each day, between 700 and 1 000 patients are seen, totalling nearly 20 000 visits a month. The centre also provides essential services such as antenatal care and family planning, attending to thousands of women and children in the surrounding communities. Despite efforts in recent years to ease congestion by extending service hours at neighbouring clinics, patient numbers at Katutura remain persistently high.Critical regional hubKhomas Region, home to just under half a million people, has only one health district with limited infrastructure. Katutura is a primary healthcare facility offering 24-hour service, making it a critical lifeline for residents across Windhoek’s informal settlements and surrounding constituencies.As part of immediate relief efforts, the ministry is increasing the number of doctors assigned to night-shift duty at Katutura Health Centre. Currently, only three doctors cover the evening shift, but this will be increased to 5 to address the long waiting times, particularly during the critical evening hours when demand peaks.“Health service demand is highest at Katutura from 7pm to midnight,” Luvindao explained. “This is notably so because all other clinics close at 19:00, forcing patients to flock to a single facility for emergency care.”Extended hours The ministry is also extending service hours at Okuryangava Health Centre and Otjomuise Clinic to operate from 07:00 to 19:00, seven days a week.“These are high-volume facilities located in densely populated areas. Their proximity to informal settlements makes them crucial points of access. Extending their hours will go a long way in easing the load currently borne by Katutura Health Centre," she said. Upgrades, phase 2The ministry has further committed to upgrading Okuryangava Health Centre to a full 24-hour service, effective from 1 August 2025. While the facility faces infrastructure limitations, its strategic location justifies the expansion. Recruitment of additional staff is already underway to support this transition.“We know space is tight, but the need is too great to ignore,” said Luvindao. “Okuryangava has the potential to serve a significant portion of our population around the clock.”Luvindao further confirmed plans to expand services at Maxuilili Clinic, located in Tobias Hainyeko Constituency. With a catchment population of more than 46 000 and a modern structure already in place, the clinic is being prepared to begin 24-hour operations starting 1 October 2025.“This development will come as a great relief for Katutura Health Centre. It will decentralise service access and ensure patients in the area can receive care closer to home, day or night," she said. The ministry is also exploring complementary interventions, including online consultations and revised community service obligations for new healthcare professionals.While staff shortages, uneven deployment, and internal transfers continue to affect rural areas such as Zambezi, Kavango West, Hardap, Omaheke, and //Karas, where facilities are often underserved, she said the newly enacted Health Professions Act of 2024 will address these imbalances through policy reform and targeted incentives.

11 pro-bono doctors boost Katutura Health Centre, serving 162000 patients

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-25

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11 pro-bono doctors boost Katutura Health Centre, serving 162000 patients

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-25

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