Domestic animals are said to be gaining access to medical waste, including human placentas, at the Tsumkwe Clinic because the facility has no incinerator or secure medical waste storage area.

The revelation was made during a visit by UNICEF delegates and prospective United Nations donors, who toured the constituency to assess healthcare challenges and the impact of ongoing development programmes.

The nurse in charge of Tsumkwe Clinic, Benjamin Nambahu, says the lack of an incinerator and a lockable medical waste storage facility has created a health and environmental concern.

He says medical waste, including human placentas, is accessible to roaming animals, while used TB testing cartridges are discarded in ordinary bins that can also be accessed by members of the public.

Nambahu adds that the clinic's mortuary is also no longer functional.

Despite these challenges, Nambahu says the clinic has recorded important successes in improving healthcare services.

He says no malaria deaths have been recorded at the facility, citing support received through the Total Control of the Epidemic programme, including a vehicle for tuberculosis programmes.

"We received a donated monthly food supply to cater to TB patients being Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) at the clinic and a TB soup kitchen for our TB patients and the malnourished patients established at the clinic. We also have electronic bicycles from the TB-Free company donated for use in the nearby villages and, as I say, availability of a medical officer."

He also called for the establishment of a tuberculosis (TB) isolation unit, saying some patients are unable to comply with community-based directly observed treatment because of circumstances beyond their control.

The UNICEF delegation and prospective United Nations (UN) donors visited Tsumkwe to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing healthcare and other essential services, while identifying areas where additional support could improve the lives of people living in the constituency.