The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology has expressed satisfaction with internet connectivity at health facilities in the Ohangwena Region.

Close to 93% of health facilities in the region are connected to the internet, marking significant progress in expanding digital access to healthcare services.

The committee is in the region engaging stakeholders and assessing the implementation of ICT programmes and services as part of its parliamentary oversight responsibilities.

Members stressed that strengthening network coverage remains critical to improving access to education, healthcare and all other government services.

The chairperson of the ICT Committee, Sebastian Karupu, assured the attendees that the issues are being addressed. "I want to encourage the people of Ohangwena to make the best use of the facility, as we want all children to have access to information and communication."

A member of the committee, Willem Amutenya, has called on the ICT Ministry to establish more Rural ICT Centres, saying the region's current two centres are insufficient to meet demand.

He also urged the ministry to consider relocating the Rural ICT Centre at Okongo to a rural constituency where it is most needed.

"Rural ICT centres that are not operational fail to provide essential services, despite having an institution with that mandate. This situation is unjust, as the tower remains unused while the community lacks access to information. For example, in the Ohangwena region, when discussing the economy of agriculture, it is evident that many young people are affected. The statistics are clear—how do we ensure these young people have access to digital information? We currently have only two rural ICT centres, one in Okongo, unless it is relocated to a more suitable location."

Amutenya argued that Okongo has since developed into a town, and the ICT centre could have a greater impact if it were relocated to a more remote community with limited access to digital services.