Exciting Development in Northern Namibia: New Oncology Centre Set to Transform Healthcare Access
In a groundbreaking move for healthcare in northern Namibia, Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge recently announced the construction of a N million oncology and medical imaging centre in Ongwediva. This ambitious project marks a significant leap towards decentralizing healthcare and ensuring that essential services are more accessible to the local population.
The new center, which is expected to be completed by July 2026, will serve around 850,000 residents from the Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, and Oshana regions. Currently, many patients have to endure the long journey of over 600 kilometers to Windhoek for cancer treatments, a situation that can be both physically and emotionally taxing. Governor Iipinge emphasized the importance of this facility, stating, “This development brings quality healthcare closer to home. It strengthens our support systems and gives families the chance to face health challenges together, surrounded by their loved ones.”
The Namibia Oncology Centre (NOC), which operates its flagship facility in Windhoek, is spearheading this inspiring initiative. Financial Director Stephanie Quarmby highlighted that beyond medical treatment, this new centre represents a restoration of dignity and familial support for communities in the north. “For the first time, a grandmother from Outapi will receive chemotherapy while her family brings her home-cooked meals,” she expressed. This sentiment underscores the crucial role that proximity plays in health and well-being—the ability to remain close to family during treatment can significantly improve a patient’s emotional and psychological state.
Since its inception in 2015, the NOC has successfully treated nearly 8,000 patients, reinforcing the view that cancer treatment is not just a medical journey but a deeply human experience. Quarmby added, “Cancer treatment is not only about medical excellence but also about preserving the human connections that fuel healing.”
Patient stories echo this sentiment. Cancer survivor Ndayelekwa Kayofa, who is currently undergoing treatment at the NOC, shared, “What truly heals is being seen not as a case number but as a person with dreams and a purpose worth fighting for.”
This new oncology and medical imaging centre promises to be a beacon of hope and health for northern Namibia, ultimately helping to reduce the burdens of travel and isolation for patients facing serious health challenges.
Stay tuned as this project unfolds, and let’s celebrate the significant strides being made in healthcare accessibility across Africa! #Namibia #Healthcare #Tourism #WorldNews
