Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has commended the Grootfontein municipality for putting measures in place to address the ongoing cholera outbreak in the town. 

During his visit to the Kap and Bou informal settlement, where the first cholera cases in the region were recorded, he noted the municipality's efforts to provide clean water to residents.

The Prime Minister said he is pleased that the Grootfontein Municipality has been putting in visible efforts to fight cholera, adding that the provision of water tanks and taps is a step in the right direction. 

He also commended the different ministries that joined hands to tackle the outbreak.

In addition, the health team, led by Dr. Johannes Niinkoti, Acting Senior Medical Officer, has been providing water treatment pills to residents in affected areas.

At Grootfontein Hospital, a dedicated cholera treatment unit valued at N$3.6 million is planned, with land already cleared and prepared for construction. Construction is expected to begin soon and be completed within six to twelve months. Currently, the hospital uses two rooms to admit cholera patients, with a capacity of four at a time.

The first case in the region was recorded on 18 November in Kap and Bou, and since then, 125 suspected cases have been reported. Among these is a four-month-old baby from the Damara location. 

The Grootfontein Municipality contributed N$100,000, while the Otjozondjupa Regional Council committed N$50,000. The Office of the Otjozondjupa Governor donated two 10,000-litre water tanks, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform donated three 10,000-litre water tanks.

Ngurare has appealed for the Food for Work and Cash for Work programmes to start as soon as Monday to contribute towards the cleaning of the town.