Exodus from diabetes association

The coordinator of the Diabetes Association of Namibia (DAN), Dr Matthews Mojekwu, is concerned over the departure of prominent members and founders of the association.

Three of the founding members, the governor of Oshana Clemens Kashuupulwa, the chief of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, Herman Iipumbu who was also the chairperson, and the deputy minister of home affairs and immigration, Erastus Uutoni, have all resigned.

Kashuupulwa, who resigned as the patron last year, told Namibian Sun that the association failed to achieve its expected goals. He also added that being a patron is not easy as it requires one to be with the association everywhere and all the time, mobilising people and raising funds.

“The association attracted many members from many regions, but it failed to care for its members and this was its main objective. People, including medical practitioners, started leaving the organisation,” Kashuupulwa.

However, according to his resignation letter dated 16 September last year, he said that he resigned due to his busy commitments with the region and he did not have time for the association anymore.

“I feel that I have made significant contribution in leading the Diabetes Association of Namibia considering the level where it is today. Against this background, I am looking forward to be released as a patron of DAN as I am pre-occupied with an enormous work load at government level and therefore have limited time to continue serving as a patron of DAN,” read the letter.

The deputy minister of fisheries and marine resources, Chief Samuel Ankama said that he is not a member of the association but added that he is a supporter of the association. He said there are individuals who do not want DAN to be supported.

“There was a conflict of interest among the people who were working with Dr Mojekwu. Some of them never wanted the association to be supported. I am not a diabetic, but I support them because I understand their cause. Our people need to be made aware of what diabetes is all about and the association was doing well at that,” Ankama said.

According to Mojekwu, a Nigerian born medical practitioner, the only success the association has achieved since its establishment in 2005 is the resignation of its founding members who have now left him alone in the association. According to the DAN constitution, it was founded by 13 members who, among others, are Kashuupulwa, Iipumbu, Uutoni, the deputy minister of fisheries and marine resources, Chief Samuel Ankama, Magdalena Ya Shalongo, Rosalia Niilenga, the late Phillemon Moongo and Maria Iyambo.

Mojekwu said that all these members started leaving the association one by one without any reason. “When we started the association was getting support from corporate companies and individuals and we were raising money to assist those battling diabetes and also to raise awareness. That was until founding members started abandoning it,” Mojekwu said.

He said that he is still an active member, but said the association need influential members so that it can be able to raise funds and attract people to join.

Chief Iipumbu said that he was not the DAN chairperson, but he was only a member. He however could not provide his reason for leaving the association. Last week, Mojekwu delivered a public lecture at the Unam northern campus where he invited members of the public to join the association and assist those suffering from diabetes. He said that from 12 to 19 November is Diabetes Week and a number of activities are planned to take place.



ILENI NANDJATO