Accessing health services closer to home has prompted the community of Ombafi in the Omusati Region to construct a clinic to address long-standing challenges in accessing healthcare.

The clinic, currently at roof level, is constructed through community contributions and support from the Office of the Governor.

For years, residents and surrounding villages have had to travel to Outapi or Oshikuku to access health services, a journey that is both costly and time-consuming.

The Project Coordinator, Titus Aitana, said the need for a permanent health facility became urgent after years of relying on temporary monthly services.

“That is what pushed us to build this structure for our clinic. This place is a mobile center with a small open space, where nurses come once a month to provide health services. It has no privacy and cannot accommodate patients. We got this place in 2000, but most of us were busy with work back then and did not have enough time. After retirement we came up with the idea, and on the 2nd of August last year we agreed as community members that we should start with our project.”

Every member aged 18 years and older would contribute at least N$100 towards the clinic.

The fundraising campaign raised N$12,000 and was used to purchase initial building materials.

Aitana highlighted that the Office of the Governor also supported the project by donating five lipped channels and 12 corrugated iron sheets.

Community member Karolina Shuuveni welcomed the initiative.

“We are proud and thankful for the decision to bring this clinic here, because once it is completed, we will no longer have to travel long distances. Most of the time we go to Oshikulufitu, and it is sometimes difficult to get there when you are very sick, but now that the clinic is being built closer, I will be able to walk from home to come here. Another thing is children's vaccinations.”

However, Aitana stressed that more support is still needed to complete the project, pleading with government and Good Samaritans to help them with bricks and cement or anything that can help them finish and set up a full operational clinic.

Once completed, the clinic is expected to serve over one thousand residents from Ombafi and surrounding villages.