Africa-Press – Namibia. Coastal residents no longer need to travel to Windhoek for breast cancer screening and treatment – thanks to a new specialised clinic that has opened at the Swakopmund State Hospital.
The move is expected to ease financial burdens on patients and improve access to timely care.
The Swakopmund Breast Clinic was officially inaugurated on 10 June 2025 as part of the health ministry and the Cancer Association of Namibia’s (CAN) nationwide Close the Care Gap initiative. The clinic offers services every Tuesday from 08h00 to 13h00.
Previously, many patients had to travel over 400 kilometres to Windhoek for screenings and treatment, often facing long waiting periods and high travel costs.
With the opening of the local clinic, residents can now access early diagnosis and care without the added financial strain.
The initiative in Erongo is supported by Langer Heinrich Uranium (LHU), which partnered with the ministry and CAN to establish the facility as part of efforts to decentralise cancer services to the regions.
The ministry’s regional health director for Erongo Dr Anna Jonas said the clinic is already making a difference.
“We’ve seen significant improvements in how quickly patients receive treatment,” she said.
“The cost of transport, accommodation and time away from work has also been significantly reduced for patients and their families. We appreciate the collaboration that has brought these services closer to our people,” she said.
She added that another breast clinic has been established at Walvis Bay State Hospital and will be officially launched in the coming weeks.
Sanet de Waal, who heads the CAN Erongo Centre, described the Swakopmund clinic as a major step forward in Namibia’s fight against cancer.
“Breast and prostate cancers remain the most common in our country. That’s why we’re working with the Cancer Care Centre in Windhoek to roll out these clinics at major hospitals in every region,” she said.
De Waal stated that the project aligns with CAN’s membership goals under the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and forms part of the global Close the Care Gap campaign.
The initiative advocates for equitable access to cancer care.
“In February, the World Cancer Day 2024 Equity Report highlighted key areas where governments can improve access to care. These are the kinds of solutions that help bridge that gap,” she noted.
“We remain committed to finding ways to support patients. Partnerships like this one with LHU are crucial,” De Waal stated.
She also commended LHU for its role in improving access to essential healthcare, saying the association will continue working with the health ministry to expand and improve cancer care services for all state patients.
“This is the kind of collaboration that brings hope and makes a real difference. LHU stepped up to ensure Namibians, especially in Erongo, receive the care they deserve,” De Waal remarked.
LHU’s managing director Johan Roux said the mine is proud to contribute to a project that delivers life-saving screening and treatment closer to the communities it serves.
“This partnership aligns with our corporate social responsibility objectives and provides a direct benefit to our community, including our employees and their families,” he stated.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
