Home Affairs, Safety and Security Minister Lucia Iipumbu has officially inaugurated the Kaoko-Otavi Correctional Facility Clinic at Opuwo Rural in the Kunene Region.

In her keynote address, Minister Iipumbu said the government remains committed to bringing quality healthcare services closer to all citizens, including inmates within correctional facilities.

She noted that, although the facility is currently operating as a clinic, it is expected to be developed into a fully-fledged hospital in the future to address the growing healthcare needs of the Kaoko-Otavi and the broader Opuwo community.

The inauguration ceremony marks a significant milestone not only for the Namibian Correctional Service but also for the entire Kaoko-Otavi and Opuwo communities.

The establishment of the clinic demonstrates the government’s shared commitment to decentralising essential services and ensuring equitable access to healthcare.

The facility is expected to play a vital role in strengthening preventive healthcare services, including vaccination programmes, health screenings and the early detection of medical conditions before they progress into serious illnesses.

By providing healthcare services within the correctional facility, the clinic will significantly reduce the financial and logistical burden associated with long-distance travel for inmates and surrounding community members in search of medical care.