N$57m Onandjokwe maternity ward ready to deliver

Health minister Esperance Luvindao on Friday inaugurated a 120-bed maternity ward at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, one of Namibia’s oldest hospitals.

The N$57 million facility marks a “renaissance” for maternity services at Onandjokwe, which has served communities for more than 115 years, she said.

The previous ward, built in 1964, had become outdated and unable to meet growing demand.

The new ward, now the largest in Namibia, doubles the hospital’s capacity and introduces modern infrastructure designed to improve patient care, privacy and efficiency. It includes antenatal and postnatal sections, labour and delivery units, emergency obstetric theatres, high-care services, breastfeeding support and mental health considerations.

“This is a standard of design and quality that we can replicate across other health facilities,” Luvindao said.

The upgrade was first conceptualised between 2012 and 2014, with construction starting in 2016. It faced years of delays and by 2025 was only halfway complete. A new contractor was subsequently appointed, completing the remaining work within a year at a cost of N$29 million.

“These achievements demonstrate that we are resolute in delivering on our promises to the Namibian people,” the minister said.

Luvindao also highlighted the strategic importance of Onandjokwe Hospital as a referral centre serving Oshikoto, Oshana and Ohangwena regions, as well as surrounding districts, including Omuthiya, Tsumeb, Eenhana and Okongo.

She noted significant improvements in maternal health outcomes at the hospital, where the maternal mortality ratio has dropped from over 400 deaths per 100 000 live births in 1998 to 70 per 100 000 now.

“Behind every statistic lies a human story – a mother’s hope for a safe delivery and a newborn’s first breath. This facility is built in honour of those stories,” she added.

New era

Meanwhile, Oshikoto regional governor Sacky Kathindi described the inauguration as a “critical milestone” in changing the region’s long-standing health and socio-economic challenges.

“It is no secret that our region has long been associated with unfavourable indices – high rates of illiteracy, teenage pregnancy, HIV infection among women of childbearing age, poverty and school dropouts,” Kathindi said.

“Yet today, we witness a decisive step toward changing that narrative. The scale of this ward is no accident; it is by design to meet the growing demand for healthcare services,” he said.