Mashare Clinic not closed – health ministry

The Ministry of Health and Social Services says a report published in a local daily newspaper on Monday noting that a government clinic at Mashare village in the Kavango East region closed its doors due to a lack of potable water is fake news.

The ministry took to its social media pages on Tuesday to note that a borehole pump at Mashare Clinic became inoperative around October last year.

“The region made provision to provide water to Mashare Clinic with a mobile tank and containers to cater for the facility daily from the Rundu Intermediate Hospital,” noted the post.

According to the ministry, arrangements have been made for the procurement of a new borehole pump.

“The clinic did not close at any point. Services were not discontinued. The story on social media represents fake news. We urge members of the public to refrain from such irresponsible practices because they put lives at risk, as such news dissuades members of the public to seek health services when they need them,” noted the ministry.

However, the media report on Monday alleged that the clinic had been without water for over six months, with nurses reportedly locking the doors and leaving the clinic in the hands of a security guard.

Photo: New Era/ Contributed

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