Kavango west: Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo highlighted significant progress in health services and water infrastructure while acknowledging persistent challenges during her State of the Region Address on Friday. Speaking at Nkurenkuru, Sinimbo said Kavango West has achieved notable infrastructure improvements in healthcare during the reporting period.
According to Namibia Press Agency, key infrastructure upgrades were completed, including the renovation of the Nkurenkuru Primary Health Care Clinic, which now includes a new dental unit and an additional ward. Upgrades extended to rural areas, with ablution facilities constructed at Nepara and Yinsu clinics, and facility expansions completed at Katjinakatji, Mpungu, and Mile 30 with support from the Global Fund and CDC.
A major milestone was the activation of the Nkurenkuru District Hospital construction in the current Medium Term Expenditure Framework, with an initial N.dollars 10 million allocation for bulk services including water and electricity infrastructure. However, Sinimbo stated that the region faced significant health challenges, particularly with malaria. Since November 2024, Kavango West recorded 18,561 malaria cases, with 14,156 being local transmissions. The disease resulted in 1,358 hospitalisations and claimed 15 lives.
On a positive note, the region showed progress in controlling other major diseases. 'The HIV prevalence rate in the region dropped to 6.9 per cent as of 2023, while the tuberculosis treatment success rate improved to 82 per cent, reflecting the hard work of our health professionals and partners,' Sinimbo noted.
In water and sanitation, the Directorate of Water Supply drilled and installed 16 new boreholes at N.dollars 4.8 million, while 31 previously drilled boreholes were installed for N.dollars 19 million. Additional projects included three rehabilitated earth dams (N.dollars 2.6 million), a pipeline at Manyondo-Ntara (N.dollars 1.2 million), and a mini desalination plant at Silikunga village (N.dollars 598,000).
Ninety-four toilets were constructed across all eight constituencies, with 125 additional units currently under construction. Despite these achievements, Sinimbo emphasised ongoing challenges. 'The absence of a mortuary at Nkurenkuru, inadequate accommodation for health workers, lack of reliable transport, and dilapidated facilities at several clinics continue to strain service delivery,' she stated.
The governor advocated for accelerated construction of the Nkurenkuru District Hospital and continued investment in healthcare infrastructure to meet the region's growing demands.