Patients at Muveve Clinic in the Kavango West Region have been using an old, broken toilet for many years. The toilet is shared by men, women, staff, and visitors, and it cannot be used by people with disabilities. Many patients say they sometimes go into the bush instead, which can be dangerous.
One of the patients, Bibiana Kasiku, said the situation is very bad. “The toilet doesn’t flush, taps are dry, and the smell is terrible. Some people go to the bushes and risk meeting snakes. We really need better toilets,” she said. She also asked for the new toilets to be built away from the main clinic building.
Good news is on the way. The Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) has stepped in to help. They are giving N$400 000 to build seven new toilets at the clinic. This is part of their effort to give back to communities through corporate social responsibility.
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The chief medical officer of the Kavango West Health Directorate, Beata Siteketa, said the new toilets will have separate areas for men and women and include special toilets for people with disabilities. She said the current toilet is a serious health risk and that the new ones will help stop the spread of diseases and improve conditions for everyone.
The clinic, which is about 65 kilometres east of Nkurenkuru in the Musese constituency, serves over 1 400 people. It offers important health services like pregnancy care, child vaccinations, and treatment for chronic illnesses.
Siteketa said construction is expected to start in August this year, and the whole community is looking forward to the changes.
