Africa-Press – Namibia. The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has accused the Ministry of Health and Social Services of neglect and politicising a mobile clinic the party donated to the Grunau community, which has gone unused for more than four years.
PDM secretary-general Manuel Ngarigombe told New Era the container clinic was formally handed to the ministry but has not been put to use since.
“If the ministry does not need the clinic, then why accept the donation? This is a slap in the face for poor communities who continue to suffer from weak healthcare delivery,” he said.
Ngarigombe accused the health ministry and the //Kharas Regional Council of failing to take ownership of the facility.
Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya confirmed receipt of the clinic but rejected claims of political interference.
“It is misleading to suggest the ministry is refusing to use the facility. The container clinic is now government property, and we are responsible for ensuring it is put to proper use. The facility is currently utilised by community health workers, and plans are progressing to fully integrate it into the health system,” Kamaya stated.
The clinic, valued at N$300 000, was donated to the government in 2021 as part of PDM’s broader social responsibility programme. It is part of N$8 million worth of community projects funded by the opposition party.
According to Ngarigombe, the clinic was initially stationed on church premises and used for a short while before it was moved. Authorities later insisted the container be relocated to ministry-owned land but requested PDM to cover the relocation costs.
“You are given a property as a donation. How do you then ask the donor to pay for relocating it? There is no sign on saying it belongs to PDM. We gave it genuinely to help the people of Grunau, but it appears politics is at play here,” he said.
Ngarigombe expressed frustration, saying the government’s inaction shows disregard for the suffering ordinary citizens.
“This is not about politics; it’s about lives. People of Grunau travel long distances just to see a nurse or doctor, yet a fully equipped clinic is standing idle. Once the ministry accepted our donation, it became their responsibility to ensure it serves the people. Instead, they are making excuses and passing the burden back to us. That is a betrayal of the very communities they are mandated to serve. If they cannot utilise it, they should return it so we can take it to another area where it will save lives,” he said.
PDM spokesperson Jeffrey Mwilima highlighted that the party has made several other donations across the country, including water infrastructure in Zambezi and the two Kavango regions, school shoes, and mattresses for learners’ hostel in remote communities.
Mwilima said the unused Grunau clinic undermines efforts to close healthcare gaps in rural Namibia.
“We cannot allow a clinic to stand idle while people are crying about a lack of infrastructure. If the ministry is not ready to use it, then they should release it so we can relocate it to other communities in need,” he said.
PDM officials insisted their donation was never meant for political mileage but to respond to genuine needs in isolated areas where residents travel long distances to access health facilities.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
