Clinic opens in remote area

AT a time when many people are worried about deteriorating conditions at health centres countrywide, a remote rural community in the South celebrated the opening of its first clinic on Tuesday.

Located at Helmeringhausen, some 85 kilometres south-west of Bethanie village, the clinic built at a cost of N$75 000 aims to provide a range of primary healthcare services once a month. Government medical staff based at the Bethanie clinic will provide the services.The Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association funded the construction of the new clinic.Speaking at the opening of the clinic, Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association Chairman MW Campbell said the closure of the Bethanie Hospital, medical staff shortage and lack of transport for outreach clinics necessitated the building of the clinic.”No other Government or semi-government institutions were willing to give space at their premises for a once-a-month clinic,” he said.Speaking at the same event, Karas Governor Dawid Boois praised the farmers’ association for its initiative, saying that it had acted in the long-term interest of the country.”It is my sincere hope that the existing operational problems, especially from the side of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, will be addressed and that the facility will be utilised optimally,” Boois added.Close to 1 500 people live at Helmeringhausen.Government medical staff based at the Bethanie clinic will provide the services.The Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association funded the construction of the new clinic.Speaking at the opening of the clinic, Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association Chairman MW Campbell said the closure of the Bethanie Hospital, medical staff shortage and lack of transport for outreach clinics necessitated the building of the clinic.”No other Government or semi-government institutions were willing to give space at their premises for a once-a-month clinic,” he said.Speaking at the same event, Karas Governor Dawid Boois praised the farmers’ association for its initiative, saying that it had acted in the long-term interest of the country.”It is my sincere hope that the existing operational problems, especially from the side of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, will be addressed and that the facility will be utilised optimally,” Boois added.Close to 1 500 people live at Helmeringhausen.