Katutura finally to get private hospital

A one-stop facility, aimed at catering for all the medical needs of Katutura residents, is coming soon after the Windhoek City Council approved the sale of a N$9.4 million piece of land for the project.
The man behind the Otjomuise Hospital project is Dr Thomas Christian Karijapua Ihuhua, who has a private medical practice in Katutura.
“I have been practising for so long in Katutura, why should I go and build a hospital somewhere other than Katutura?” Ihuhua asked during a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun in which he confirmed the venture.
The City of Windhoek during its monthly meeting held last Thursday approved the sale of the erf - situated adjacent to Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Claudius Kandovazu streets. The price does not include value-added tax (VAT).
As part of the project, the developer will be required to extend Leonard Auala Street. The City already has plans to tar that street during the current financial year.
The shareholders of Otjomuise Hospital are Namibians Dr Valerie Mburu Puleinge Ihuhua, Dr Alugodhi Paulus Kanyama, Dr Ingrid Kainongo Ikondua Muhenye and Dr Ihuhua, while the Zimbabweans involved are Dr Daniel Mishale Bengesai and Dr Orippa Tendauyi Madziwa.
They will be allowed to develop the land after submitting their building plans. The City's urban planning and property management department must now request payment of the N$9.4 million for the unserviced land, which must be paid within 30 days of such request.
“It will be a one-stop-shop hospital. You don't have to come there and then be referred somewhere else. Everything will be there,” Ihuhua said.
He said he cannot “jump the gun” by answering questions about the size of the hospital and possible employment opportunities. “Let the City of Windhoek first confirm the approval of our [building plan] application. From there we can talk about costs of the hospital and accruing collaterals to the community. I know you are eager to report, but let's wait,” Ihuhua said.