Outapi expectant mothers’ shelter gathering dust

A state-of-the-art maternity waiting home in Outapi that was constructed over a period of 11 years and inaugurated by three ministers two years ago has since been gathering dust.The Tukwathela Expectant Mothers’ Shelter, aimed at addressing the plight of pregnant women who over the years camped in tents under trees to be closer to healthcare services, was officially inaugurated by health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula, labour minister Utoni Nujoma and urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni on 22 August 2022.It has remained non-operational, with bushes, grass and shrubs in the yard growing tall. Former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba is the patron of the shelter.Currently, expectant mothers at Outapi are accommodated in shacks that were sponsored by the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN).For years, the plight of expectant mothers camping in tents at Outapi was reported in the media, which resulted in stakeholders making contributions of over N$5 million since 2013 for the construction of the shelter.The Good Samaritans included the Ombalantu Traditional Authority, Omusati Regional Council, Outapi Town Council, Standard Bank, World Health Organisation, NamPort and others.However, the project - despite being completed and having been inaugurated - has been standing idle. Namibian Sun has uncovered that this is due to management issues.Ownership issuesWhen contacted for comment, Omusati health director Alfons Amoomo said the shelter does not fall under the purview of the health ministry and referred queries to Omusati governor Erginus Endjala.Endjala explained that the issue surrounding the non-operation of the Tukwathela Expectant Mothers’ Shelter is one of management, saying that since the ministry is unable to pay for a caretaker, there has been a back-and-forth on who should bear the cost.“The problem of the centre is the management and then the ownership - who&#039;s going to take care of that facility? Because the minister of health says no, they are not the custodian. Then the town council also says no, they just donated the land.“As a result, it was then resolved that the ministry of urban and rural development - through the regional council - must be the custodian,” he said.“There&#039;s administration things involved, like the person who&#039;s going now to administer [matters], how is that person going to be paid? Because at the end of the day, it&#039;s not on the payroll of the council, neither is it on the payroll of the minister of health.”Limited spaceEndjala said while the ownership and management issues are being addressed, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has donated funds to the council, which were used to procure mattresses for the shelter.At the moment, expectant mothers are housed in the DBN corrugated structure, with those who are seven to nine months pregnant expected to pay a once-off fee of N$20.However, with limited spaces available, pregnant women - especially those from Angola and other far-flung areas - are camping at an open area near the hospital.kenya@namibiansun.com

Outapi expectant mothers’ shelter gathering dust

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-17

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Outapi expectant mothers’ shelter gathering dust

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-17

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