Mpora villagers still without ambulance
The health director for the two Kavango regions, Timea Ngwira, on Monday told Namibian Sun that hiring a driver would be “very expensive
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
The health ministry has not lived up to its promise to allocate an ambulance to the Mpora clinic in the Kavango West Region to service the surrounding villages.
In 2019, the ministry said an ambulance could not be allocated to the clinic because there was no driver, but that has since changed, with the ministry now saying the clinic’s structure does not allow for a driver to be recruited.
Residents in the area have to rely on an ambulance which has to travel over 130 kilometres from Rundu. Mpora is situated 30 km from Mururani.
An ambulance at Mpora will also benefit people who live as far as Mangetti who currently rely on the assistance of the police to transport those who are in need of medical treatment.
Villagers at Mururani travel either to Grootfontein or Rundu for medical treatment at public hospitals.
The health director for the two Kavango regions, Timea Ngwira, on Monday told Namibian Sun that hiring a driver would be “very expensive”.
‘Sad reality’
In 2019, Namibian Sun reported that the ambulance - which has to travel from Rundu - caters for the entire B8 road between Rundu and Mururani.
“This thing of an ambulance does not only affect us, but all citizens of this country. Just imagine if you get involved in a car accident here at Mururani. Should you really wait for an ambulance coming from Rundu, which is 130 kilometres away? That is the sad reality which needs to be addressed,” the villagers said.
At the time, health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe said the ministry was well aware of the issue and assured that it will be addressed in due course.
[email protected]
RUNDU
The health ministry has not lived up to its promise to allocate an ambulance to the Mpora clinic in the Kavango West Region to service the surrounding villages.
In 2019, the ministry said an ambulance could not be allocated to the clinic because there was no driver, but that has since changed, with the ministry now saying the clinic’s structure does not allow for a driver to be recruited.
Residents in the area have to rely on an ambulance which has to travel over 130 kilometres from Rundu. Mpora is situated 30 km from Mururani.
An ambulance at Mpora will also benefit people who live as far as Mangetti who currently rely on the assistance of the police to transport those who are in need of medical treatment.
Villagers at Mururani travel either to Grootfontein or Rundu for medical treatment at public hospitals.
The health director for the two Kavango regions, Timea Ngwira, on Monday told Namibian Sun that hiring a driver would be “very expensive”.
‘Sad reality’
In 2019, Namibian Sun reported that the ambulance - which has to travel from Rundu - caters for the entire B8 road between Rundu and Mururani.
“This thing of an ambulance does not only affect us, but all citizens of this country. Just imagine if you get involved in a car accident here at Mururani. Should you really wait for an ambulance coming from Rundu, which is 130 kilometres away? That is the sad reality which needs to be addressed,” the villagers said.
At the time, health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe said the ministry was well aware of the issue and assured that it will be addressed in due course.
[email protected]
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