Tamariskia Clinic buckles under pressure as fire-hit Mondesa rebuild stalls
‘Quite frankly, we could do better’
With the Mondesa facility still out of service since a blaze in February, the pressure on Tamariskia Clinic remains relentless.
The closure of Swakopmund’s Mondesa Clinic earlier this year following a devastating fire has placed significant strain on Tamariskia Clinic, which is battling overcrowding, limited infrastructure and under-resourced staff, all while absorbing the overflow of patients from Mondesa.
Tamariskia is currently operating beyond capacity, with long waiting times and stretched medical services.
The process to rebuild Mondesa has stalled due to procurement bureaucracy, with no visible signs of reconstruction.
Vice chair of the National Council’s parliamentary standing committee on health, social welfare and labour affairs, Emma Tangi Muteka, visited the site yesterday as part of a national oversight mission.
She confirmed that no contractor has yet been appointed for the reconstruction of the charred remains of the clinic months after the fire.
“They are still in the process of finalising the conversation and identifying the contractor who will be responsible for the renovations,” Muteka said. “We stressed that we will hold them accountable. They indicated that it will be between two to three months. We will follow up.”
Health services overstretched
The committee has urged authorities to fast-track alternative solutions to address the growing health service congestion.
“We’re motivating them to look into government-owned properties that could be temporarily used, provided the conditions are conducive,” she said.
During the visit, Muteka also highlighted broader concerns across Erongo’s public health infrastructure, including overcrowding, long queues and a lack of patient privacy.
The committee noted areas of dilapidated infrastructure, although some improvements were observed in Walvis Bay, such as ceiling repairs at the district hospital and the installation of immovable beds in mental health facilities.
Serious mental health services gap
Mental health care remains a major concern.
Muteka said there is only one stronghold room at Swakopmund State Hospital – currently under renovation after a fire – and the committee has recommended additional facilities.
“We still need to consider creating more space. One room is not sufficient,” she pointed out.
The committee’s preliminary report will be submitted to parliament, followed by formal recommendations to the health and social services ministry. The ministry is expected to provide a progress response.
Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagoses has reportedly committed to ensuring that specific maintenance issues, such as the unresolved entrance to the psychiatric ward, will be addressed in coordination with the regional council.
Muteka stressed that decentralisation of health services must extend beyond infrastructure alone.
“Quite frankly, we could do better,” she said.
Tamariskia is currently operating beyond capacity, with long waiting times and stretched medical services.
The process to rebuild Mondesa has stalled due to procurement bureaucracy, with no visible signs of reconstruction.
Vice chair of the National Council’s parliamentary standing committee on health, social welfare and labour affairs, Emma Tangi Muteka, visited the site yesterday as part of a national oversight mission.
She confirmed that no contractor has yet been appointed for the reconstruction of the charred remains of the clinic months after the fire.
“They are still in the process of finalising the conversation and identifying the contractor who will be responsible for the renovations,” Muteka said. “We stressed that we will hold them accountable. They indicated that it will be between two to three months. We will follow up.”
Health services overstretched
The committee has urged authorities to fast-track alternative solutions to address the growing health service congestion.
“We’re motivating them to look into government-owned properties that could be temporarily used, provided the conditions are conducive,” she said.
During the visit, Muteka also highlighted broader concerns across Erongo’s public health infrastructure, including overcrowding, long queues and a lack of patient privacy.
The committee noted areas of dilapidated infrastructure, although some improvements were observed in Walvis Bay, such as ceiling repairs at the district hospital and the installation of immovable beds in mental health facilities.
Serious mental health services gap
Mental health care remains a major concern.
Muteka said there is only one stronghold room at Swakopmund State Hospital – currently under renovation after a fire – and the committee has recommended additional facilities.
“We still need to consider creating more space. One room is not sufficient,” she pointed out.
The committee’s preliminary report will be submitted to parliament, followed by formal recommendations to the health and social services ministry. The ministry is expected to provide a progress response.
Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagoses has reportedly committed to ensuring that specific maintenance issues, such as the unresolved entrance to the psychiatric ward, will be addressed in coordination with the regional council.
Muteka stressed that decentralisation of health services must extend beyond infrastructure alone.
“Quite frankly, we could do better,” she said.
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