Nujoma clinic brings healthcare to hundreds

Former president Sam Nujoma chose his 88th birthday celebrations to officially hand over the keys of the brand new and fully equipped Etunda farm clinic to health minister Bernhard Haufiku's ministry at a low-key celebration on his farm on Saturday.The clinic, and Etunda primary school, form part of the former president's passion project, which he launched several years ago in an effort to address education and health shortcomings among the rural community, and especially farm workers in the area. During his address, Nujoma said that he began the project because he was “deeply troubled by the plight of our farm workers, and especially their children.”He said he had heard the “outcry of parents in the surrounding commercial farms. Hence, this is a national problem as most if not all farm owners do not make education accessible to their workers' children.”He said he decided to include a clinic as part of the project, because he believed that health care should be available “within easy walking distance of the community, particularly for women and children”.To date, one block of classrooms, two teacher accommodations and an administration block have been completed. Moreover, the clinic, as well as two accommodation blocks for nurses and doctors, has been completed. The buildings are situated on a piece of Nujoma's farm, which he donated to the cause. The clinic, which is not yet open on a daily basis until new staffing structures are put in place, will be manned by nurses and a doctor on a regular rotation during the week, and provide services to anyone, including residents in Otavi, 30 km to the north. Haufiku on Saturday said he has proposed to the regional health officials that a full time ambulance be provided to the clinic.He also said that he has suggested that the clinic is opened during peak traffic times, including long weekends and national holidays, to provide emergency services. During the handover of the clinic keys, Haufiku praised Nujoma for the generous gift, and said: “Today you are receiving a clinic from an icon of the liberation struggle. Someone who never wavered and who believed in the common good for everyone.” He said the clinic staff must live up to the legacy. Deep pockets The celebrations on Saturday also set the stage for individuals, groups and companies to pledge their support for the next phase of the Etunda school project, resulting in cash pledges of more than N$7 million in total. Swapo party secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba handed over a N$5 million cheque on behalf of the party, half of which has already been paid to the Etunda Farm primary school and clinic trust so far.Several in kind donations and volunteer services, valued at hundreds of thousands, were also pledged at the event yesterday. These included donations of food for the hostel, building materials, livestock as well as future services to the school and clinic. The clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment valued at more than N$600 000, all donated by Ohorongo Cement and a German NGO partner, Support Ulm e.V. Ohorongo further pledged to finance all training on the equipment, as well as finance equipment maintenance. Ohorongo also donated 34 tonnes of cement for the foundation of the clinic and pledged to provide cement for the next foundation to be laid. The second phase of construction, consisting of the boys' and girls' hostels, staff accommodation, as well as a dining hall, kitchen and laundry, is next on the cards. The second phase costs will amount to approximately N$15 million, excluding VAT, a chunk of which was covered by the pledges yesterday. The second phase of the construction is being undertaken by Direct Construction and Design Lab, in association with Tweya Consulting engineers, Tom van Wyk quantity surveyor and Asher consulting engineers.On Saturday, Mungolo Lukas from Direct Construction said that the company had decided to offer their professional services on a volunteer basis towards the work they would undertake at the site. He told Nujoma that “your heroic fight for independence and subsequent attainment thereof is the reason why we the youth of this country are able to actively participate in the economy.”|Li Nan, Charge d'affaires of Embassy of the People's Republic of China, handed over N$100 000 towards the next phase of the project, as well as individual gifts to Nujoma and his wife. JANA-MARI SMITH

Nujoma clinic brings healthcare to hundreds

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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Nujoma clinic brings healthcare to hundreds

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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