The Namibian returnees from Botswana resettled in Otjipaheua village, located in the Tsumkwe Constituency, say they are facing a severe healthcare crisis.

The group of over a hundred were moved to the area with promises of infrastructure development, but residents claim they have been abandoned without access to medical care and network reception.

Otjipaheua village is located about 135 kilometres from Gam in the Otjozondjupa Region. It is where over a hundred Namibian returnees from Botswana were resettled through the government's repatriation programme. 

However, according to the residents, life there is proving difficult as they are struggling to access basic health care services.

A resident, ​Ten Rueza, says he has gone over three months without his high blood pressure medication. 

He explains that a lack of network reception makes it impossible to call for help during emergencies. 

Rueza is calling on the government to provide them with an ambulance that will be stationed at Otjipaheua and help them during emergencies.

"The government received us well, but they must send a government vehicle if someone falls sick; this car can take them to the clinic, even for medication from the clinic. We are God's people. As for me, I have high blood pressure. I did not get my medication until now. We are people who are lost. The government, when it comes to food, gives us food, but they are not looking after our health. Everyone who is here has their own sicknesses, but they have not received their medication."

​Another resident, Veripamue Matuka, says many returnees arrived in Namibia with chronic illnesses. 

He says such diseases require monthly medical attention. However, health officials do not visit the area. 

Travelling to the nearest clinic in Gam is nearly impossible due to the state of the road and high transport costs. 

"The clinic never visited us here, not the one from Gam nor the one from Grootfontein or anywhere; we are people who arrived here with different sicknesses, and we need to be checked on a monthly basis. We do not get treatment. To get medical attention, we must travel to Gam from here – over 130 km to visit the clinic from here to Gam. To hire a car ranges from N$3500 to N$4000 because petrol is expensive, the place is far and the road is bad."

Responding to these concerns, Tsumkwe Constituency Councillor Petrus Mutjie stated that his office is actively working to address the isolation of the community. He revealed that five areas, including Otjipaheua, have been identified for network tower installations.

"We received an email from the ICT Ministry to identify these areas that do not have network reception and radio frequency. So, we did our studies and already collected information that we had now submitted to MICT to see what the way forward is. But yes, there are critical issues there, as you said, like the clinic that they don't even have yet. But the government is really working around the clock to assist our people at Otjipaheua."

While the government has provided food aid, the residents of Otjipaheua are demanding that their health and communication needs be prioritised before lives are lost.