Otji hospital inches towards 2027 construction start

The construction of Otjiwarongo’s long-planned 250-bed referral hospital is now anticipated to start in early 2027

The health ministry said internal site infrastructure is expected to begin early next year, subject to funding availability through Treasury.

“Funding availability through Treasury is an important indicator in fast-tracking the implementation of the project,” ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya said in response to questions from Namibian Sun.

The ministry said construction of the internal site infrastructure would lay the foundation for the main hospital building. Once the project starts, construction is anticipated to take 36 months.

The proposed hospital was first announced in 2014, while planning activities commenced in 2015. These included an environmental impact assessment, transport impact assessment, geotechnical survey and hospital designs.

The project was initially affected by the economic downturn in 2016, which the ministry said contributed to a decline in the construction industry. The Covid-19 pandemic subsequently added to the delays.

The ministry said the project remains part of its overall health development agenda and has been provided for outside the state revenue fund under the appropriated medium-term expenditure framework for the 2026/27 to 2028/29 financial years.

However, it did not provide the amount allocated to the project under the current framework or confirm an exact date for the start of construction.

First steps taken

Government has already spent N$12.6 million on components of the project, according to the ministry.

The land for the hospital was secured at a cost of N$5 million, while site clearance and fencing were completed at N$7.6 million.

The ministry said the project also includes staff accommodation, a conference centre, service buildings for functions such as laundry, mortuary and kitchen services, an administration building, the main hospital, emergency medical services and supporting infrastructure.

The supporting infrastructure includes roads, water, sewerage and electricity services, water tanks, a water treatment plant, gatehouses and landscaping.

The main hospital building and emergency medical services components are currently being revised, taking into account the time that has passed since the project was planned.

Little progress

The ministry’s construction estimate for the project was N$945.5 million in 2016.

Last week, a visit by Namibian Sun to the earmarked hospital site found a concrete perimeter structure, while the area inside remained largely covered in bush, with no visible foundation or active construction.

The project had previously been targeted for completion by March 2026.

The proposed facility is intended to strengthen referral services in the region and reduce pressure on existing health facilities. The need for a referral hospital in Otjiwarongo has also been raised by regional leadership in previous years.

If internal site infrastructure starts as anticipated in early 2027, the ministry’s projected 36-month construction period would place the completion of the project around 2030, subject to funding and construction progressing according to plan.

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