• Health

Eleven doctors help thousands of patients for free

• 6 Days Ago - 2025-07-01 13:05:00

In a new partnership between the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the private sector, a group of doctors will provide free evening services at the Katutura Health Centre in Windhoek as from today.
The centre serves 162 000 people, according to official ministry statistics.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao, announced yesterday that 11 private doctors will now assist at the centre to relieve pressure on one of Namibia’s busiest health facilities, which sees between 700 and 1 000 patients a day - about 20 000 visits a month.
The centre also provides essential services such as postnatal care and family planning, serving thousands of women and children in the surrounding communities. Despite efforts in recent years to ease congestion by extending service hours at nearby clinics, the number of patients seeking help at the centre remains extremely and persistently high. The Khomas Region, home to just under half a million people, has only one health district with limited infrastructure.
Primary healthcare
The Katutura Health Centre focuses on primary healthcare and is open 24 hours a day, making it a critical lifeline for residents of the capital’s informal settlements and surrounding constituencies. As part of immediate relief efforts, the ministry has assigned the 11 private doctors to night shifts at the centre, according to Luvindao.
She described the doctors’ dedication as an act of national service and praised their contribution, saying their decision to serve without financial compensation embodies the spirit of “ubuntu” and reflects a deep sense of civic responsibility.
Until now, only three doctors were covering the night shift, but this is being increased to five in an attempt to reduce long waiting times, especially during the critical evening hours when demand peaks.
“The demand for health services at Katutura is highest from 19:00 to 24:00,” Luvindao said. “This is clearly the case because all other clinics close at 19:00, and patients are forced to flock to a single facility for emergency care.”
Extended service hours
The ministry has also extended service hours at the Okuryangava Health Centre and the Otjomuise Clinic. From today, these facilities will be open seven days a week from 07:00 to 19:00.
“These are high-volume facilities located in densely populated areas. Their proximity to informal settlements makes them essential access points. The extension of their hours will go a long way in alleviating the pressure currently being experienced by the Katutura Health Centre,” she said.
Luvindao also committed to upgrading the Okuryangava Health Centre to full 24-hour service from 1 August 2025.
Although the facilities face infrastructural constraints, the centre’s strategic location justifies the expansion. Recruitment of additional staff is reportedly already underway to support the transition.
“We know space is limited, but the need is too great to ignore. Okuryangava has the potential to serve a significant portion of our population 24 hours a day.”
Decentralisation
She also confirmed plans to expand services at the Maxuilili Clinic in the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency. With a population of over 46 000 in its catchment area and a modern structure already in place, the clinic is currently being prepared to operate 24 hours a day from 1 October this year.
“This development will bring great relief to the Katutura Health Centre. It will decentralise access to services and ensure that patients in the area can receive care closer to home, 24/7,” Luvindao explained.
The ministry is also exploring supporting interventions such as online consultations and revised service obligations for new health practitioners.
Citing staff shortages, uneven deployment, and internal transfers that continue to plague rural areas such as Zambezi, Kavango West, Hardap, Omaheke, and ||Kharas – where facilities are often underserved – Luvindao said the new health professions law will address these imbalances through policy reform and targeted incentives. - [email protected]