By: Annakleta Haikera
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare officially inaugurated the Kaisosi Medical Centre on Friday, developed by four private investors with a combined investment of N$25 million in the Kavango East Region.
The facility features a radiology department, pharmacy, laboratory, and advanced diagnostic services.
One of the investors, Johnny Doeseb, said the centre will be the first in the country to provide care for patients without medical aid, making it a true one-stop facility catering to the commmunity’s health needs.
“We are going to do things differently. We will go into communities and serve people in the comfort of their homes and neighbourhoods, because we know that when health issues strike, conditions can be dire,” Doeseb said.
He spoke to the centre’s service-oriented approach, offering healthcare at the least cost to those in need.
“This effort will not end at the services initially outlined by our founding member, Mazar Eche. We are responding to the government’s call and moving forward,” he noted.
Highlighting the need for local capacity, Doeseb said several laboratory and medical tests are currently conducted outside the country. To address this, the investors plan to establish a medicine manufacturing plant in Usakos and Windhoek, in partnership with the government.
“We are aware that many areas in Rundu and beyond cannot access affordable, essential medical services. It pains us to know that neighbours go without care. We will start by rolling out services, including free testing for men and women in uniform and the army, because safeguarding the Republic is essential,” he added.
Doeseb explained that every member of society is invited to take ownership and support this initiative.
“Where people cannot afford care, they will not be sent home without being served. Healthy communities mean a happier, stronger society for all of us,” he remarked.
Prime Minister Ngurare lauded the launch of the facility, highlighting its role in bringing healthcare closer to the people. He noted that patients in Kaisosi will no longer need to travel long distances to access urgent care, and that the centre will complement the existing government clinic by reducing pressure on state hospitals and improving access to specialised diagnostics and surgical services.
“The Government of the Republic of Namibia is committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), and Namibia has scored between 65% and 70% on the WHO UHC index. However, the journey to over 80% is still long, and the state cannot walk this path alone,” Ngurare stated.
He described the Kaisosi Medical Centre as a strategic public-private partner, relieving the patient load on the state-run clinic while providing advanced services such as doctors’ consultations, ultrasound imaging, laboratory tests, and an operating theatre directly in the community, ensuring more efficient healthcare delivery.
