Africa-Press – Namibia. The Onandjokwe Medical Museum in the Oshikoto region is one of the rare yet interesting sites in Namibia. It shifts the focus from what is regarded as tourism attraction sites and takes one on an eye-opening medical journey, as it showcases the evolution of healthcare and the cultural shifts that shaped Namibia over the years.
Journalists had the opportunity to visit the medical museum last week, during a trip to the northern part of the country to explore how Namibia can venture and create additional revenue streams other than wildlife tourism.
The Onandjokwe Medical Museum could be key in the plans of the Namibia Tourism Board, which is on a mission to increase tourism arrivals in the country.
The story of Onandjokwe began in 1908 when Finnish missionary doctor Selma Rainio arrived in Namibia. Recognising the urgent need for healthcare in the north, she established Onandjokwe Hospital in 1911 using locally available materials. Despite limited resources, the hospital grew rapidly and became a centre of medical care in the region.
Over the years, the facility expanded into satellite centres that later developed into hospitals in Ohangwena, Omusati and Kavango. In 1930, it introduced the country’s first nursing school, training Namibians in hygiene and medicine and laying the foundation for local medical expertise. This milestone ensured that for the first time, Namibians were not only patients but also trained professionals shaping their own health system.Museum curator Kleopas Nghikefelwa said Rainio dedicated her entire life to Onandjokwe, working there until her death. “She is remembered as the founding mother of Onandjokwe Hospital and medical healthcare in this region,” he said.
He added that in those early days, communities often attributed illness and death to witchcraft or the anger of gods. “Our people did not understand sickness in terms of bacteria or viruses. It took time and education to change that mindset,” he explained.
The hospital’s unique architecture, one of the first corrugated iron buildings in the north, also sparked fear among locals who were unfamiliar with such structures. Over time, however, it became a symbol of progress and trust in Western medicine, marking the start of a cultural shift in how people viewed illness and treatment.
Today, the Onandjokwe Medical Museum preserves this legacy. Its displays include original medical equipment and photographs dating back to 1908, as well as exhibitions on the hospital’s role during the liberation struggle. For medical personnel, students of nursing, dentistry and medicine, and even ordinary visitors, the museum provides valuable insight into the journey of Namibia’s health sector.
The museum was officially opened in 2013 with funding from the Embassy of Finland. Its aim, Nghikefelwa explained, is to safeguard the legacy of one of Namibia’s oldest hospitals while inspiring future generations. “This museum tells the journey of where we come from with our medical history, and where we are today. It is not only about Onandjokwe – it is a story for all Namibians,” he said.
The curator said young people, in particular, benefit from learning about the struggles and sacrifices of the first doctors and nurses. “It helps them connect with our history and see how far we have come in healthcare,” he added.
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