N$80m diagnostic centre opens in Ongwediva

Residents of northern Namibia will no longer have to travel to central Namibia for specialised diagnostic services following the opening of the N$80 million state-of-the-art Medical Imaging Namibia branch in Ongwediva on Saturday.The facility was officially inaugurated by Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge.Dr Ryan Volker, a partner and diagnostic radiologist at Medical Imaging, pointed out that although nearly two-thirds of Namibia’s population lives in the northern regions, most specialised healthcare services have historically been concentrated in Khomas and Erongo.“We aim to integrate into this community and add value, leveraging the expertise of our team of 13 specialist radiologists, who collectively boast decades of experience in medical imaging,” Volker said.Iipinge recalled officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony exactly a year earlier, when the site was still a bare patch of veld.“One year later, the project is complete and ready to serve our community. I appreciate this commitment, as it demonstrates that development projects can indeed be fulfilled on schedule,” Iipinge said.Early detection saves livesThe governor highlighted the benefits of the new centre, chief among them, access to crucial health services.“For patients already battling illnesses, the stress of long-distance travel for specialised medical assessments is an added burden,” he said.“Early detection can save lives, and prompt treatment can spare families unnecessary suffering,” he said, adding that “access to quality healthcare should not depend on an individual’s proximity to major urban centres.”Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the centre offers magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scans, mammography, ultrasound, cardiac imaging, oncology imaging, and other specialised radiology services.The facility will create opportunities for medical professionals, radiographers, administrative staff, and other support roles, bolstering Ongwediva’s emergence as a centre for specialised medical services.“I urge the management of this remarkable investment to collaborate with our state facilities and actively participate in our community,” Iipinge added.Free breast cancer screeningsDr Volker said the centre aimed to work closely with referring physicians and other healthcare professionals to support hospitals and healthcare services in the region, as well as planned facilities such as the Namibian Oncology Centre.He also announced that the centre would work with state hospitals to offer free breast cancer screenings throughout October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.The mammography unit at Medical Imaging is the only one of its kind in northern Namibia, Volker said, and is essential for the early detection of breast cancer.“We encourage all women to come in for screenings to help save lives.”

N$80m diagnostic centre opens in Ongwediva

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-14

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N$80m diagnostic centre opens in Ongwediva

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-14

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