Ndiyona: A representative of the Ministry of Health and Social Services at Nyangana District Hospital, Dr Mathias Luemba, has emphasised the urgent need for a healthcare centre and fuel station at Ndiyona, where at least 20 people have died from suspected food poisoning since 2023.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Luemba made the remarks at a recent consultative meeting attended by various regional leaders, including former Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa, traditional leaders, constituency councillors, and community members. The meeting discussed solutions to the growing number of food poisoning cases in the region.
Dr Luemba highlighted that between 2023 and 2025, at least 20 people in the Ndiyona Constituency reportedly died from suspected food poisoning. Currently, there is no health centre in Ndiyona, and the population continues to grow. He stressed the importance of establishing a health centre in Ndiyona to provide the community with quicker access to medical assistance, as currently, residents must travel approximately nine kilometres to Nyangana for treatment.
Dr Luemba noted that while a new health centre would manage general cases, severe cases could still be referred to Nyangana District Hospital for advanced care. He also underlined the necessity for an intensive care unit (ICU) at Nyangana District Hospital, as some patients arrive in critical condition and need stabilisation before they can be transferred to the intermediate hospital in Rundu. An ICU would help save more lives by reducing preventable deaths.
He further addressed the need for a fuel station, mentioning that ambulances often face delays in responding to emergencies due to low fuel levels, necessitating travel to Rundu or Divundu, around 100 kilometres away, for refuelling. A nearby filling station would significantly improve emergency response times.
Dr Luemba also revealed that most of their ambulances are outdated, with some exceeding 300,000 kilometres in mileage and experiencing frequent breakdowns. In response to these concerns, former Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa stated that he has retired from government service and is no longer in a position to intervene directly. However, he urged current regional leaders to take the concerns seriously and work towards addressing the challenges raised.