admin @ Tue, 2005-10-25 13:46
DEPUTY Prime Minister Li-bertina Amathila has warned nurses and doctors not to turn away patients who cannot afford to pay for medical services, especially those from San communities. The deputy PM made the call at the official opening of the Harnas Lifeline Clinic at Omauozon-janda in the Omaheke Region on Saturday.
Amathila said it was against Government policy to send away patients because they cannot pay. "Many people from the San community are poor and unemployed and can not afford to pay their medical bills but we cannot deny them treatment."
She noted that medical personnel should not discriminate against San people when treating them and should treat them with care and in a professional manner. She said the establishment of the clinic was indeed an affirmation of dedication and commitment of many people to alleviate poverty and strengthen the social development of the communities of the Omaheke Region.
"A few weeks ago, I visited Omaheke Region and was particularly struck by the challenges faced by some of its most marginalized communities and especially the San people."
Amathila said Namibia has adopted a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and the Second National Development Plan further places particular emphasis on reducing poverty, strengthening education, reducing hunger and food insecurity and promoting health.
She said the Omaheke Region in general and certain communities within the region are heavily affected by the vicious cycle of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, poverty, lack of development and limited access to governance systems and services.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Mbanderu senior traditional councillor in Epukiro Gerson Katjirua said although the Epukiro community was pleased with the opening of the clinic, they also faced other pressing problems.
"We need a mortuary, ambulance and a doctor who will be treating patients every week or a nurse who will be based in Epukiro to help patients."
A medical doctor, Rudie van Vuuren, who has been spearheading the establishment of the clinic, said the ultimate goal is to turn the clinic into a primary health care centre.
"Doctors will currently be visiting the clinic once a month but we hope that we can raise more funds to enable doctors to come more frequently."
Van Vuuren, a well known sports personality who represented Namibia at the Rugby World Cup finals in Australia and Cricket World Cup finals in South Africa, also thanked Burgland Charitas foundation that sponsored the establishment of the clinic to the tune of N$220 000.
He explained that the clinic consists of four consulting rooms, a pharmacy, dentist room, optometrist room, storeroom and administration office.
Medical doctor Helene de Kok, who has been treating patients at Epukiro for the past 30 years welcomed the opening of the clinic, noting that the medical facility will go a long way in addressing health problems at the village. She said Tuberculosis is highly prevalent among the San community and since it requires long treatment, monitoring by health workers at the clinic will be important.
De Kok said other diseases prevalent among the San people are malnutrition and different types of infections. She said among the Herero-speaking community, high blood pressure, knee and back problems are common and the cause is too much weight.
The doctor said there is now a rise in diabetes cases among the Herero-speaking community and most of the diseases could be attributed to eating too much meat and drinking sour milk.
She added that malaria cases usually get reported especially during the rainy season.
The chairman of the Burgland Charitas foundation Jan Verburg said the aim of the foundation is to make a modest contribution in the battle against poverty in the world and to promote and support projects in the areas of health care, education and means for earning a living coming out from their Christian world view and Biblical duty.
He said in the coming days, the foundation hopes to research options in the Epukiro area for setting up employment creation projects.
The foundation volunteers to pay for the training of a nurse at the clinic. The pledge by Verburg was welcomed by Amathila, who proposed that the nurse to be trained should come from the San community.
The occasion was attended by close to 200 community members with a larger number from the San community from Epukiro.
The official speeches were translated into the San language, to the excitement of many present.
Amathila was accompanied by Minister of Health and Social Services Richard Kam-wi, Omaheke Governor Laura McLeod, eye specialist Doctor Helena Ndume, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Kilus Ngu-vauva and a number of medical doctors who treated hundreds of community members after the opening of the clinic.
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