New ambulance boosts Kalkfeld
The Kalkfeld community's long-standing appeal for a dedicated ambulance has finally been realised following the official handover of a fully equipped emergency vehicle valued at more than N$1 million. The ambulance, donated by the Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF), was officially handed over to the Kalkfeld Clinic earlier in the week. The donation is expected to significantly improve emergency medical services for residents of the settlement and surrounding farming communities, where access to timely emergency transport has long been a challenge.
In addition to the ambulance, the Otjiwarongo Constituency Office donated a maternity bed worth approximately N$52,000 to strengthen maternal healthcare services at the clinic. Speaking at the handover, Otjiwarongo Constituency Councillor and Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Paulus Nekundi, said the new ambulance would play a critical role in improving emergency response and patient care in the area.
He noted that the vehicle would not only facilitate the transfer of patients requiring specialised medical treatment but would also enable healthcare workers to respond more effectively to road traffic accidents along the busy routes near Kalkfeld. The ceremony also saw the handover of a firefighting machine, aimed at enhancing the settlement's capacity to respond to and contain fire outbreaks, thereby improving community safety.
Director of Health and Social Services for the Otjozondjupa Region, Gebhardo Timotheus, called on residents to protect the newly acquired ambulance and ensure it is used solely for its intended purpose. "This ambulance belongs to the people of Kalkfeld and is intended solely for patients referred from the Kalkfeld Clinic to Otjiwarongo, or for patients who require direct transfer to Windhoek," Timotheus said. He urged community members to report any misuse of the vehicle, stressing that safeguarding the ambulance would ensure it remains available to serve those in need.
The handover marks a significant milestone for Kalkfeld's healthcare services, providing the community with a vital resource that is expected to improve emergency response times, strengthen patient referrals and enhance access to critical medical care.
