Ncamagoro: The Mpora Clinic situated in the Ncamagoro District of the Kavango West Region, received an ambulance from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) on Tuesday. Handing over the ambulance on behalf of the Ministry, Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo emphasized that the vehicle will play a crucial role in improving emergency medical services in rural areas, potentially saving numerous lives.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sinimbo highlighted the importance of the ambulance, describing it as a vital resource that will bridge the gap in medical care accessibility for rural communities. She stated, "This is not just a van with sirens; it is a lifeline for our people. It will bring medical help closer to families in emergencies, reduce preventable deaths, and support our frontline health workers in delivering quality services." She further expressed that rural communities have long faced challenges such as distance, poor roads, and lack of transport, which have hindered their access to emergency medical care.

Receiving the ambulance, Kavango West Health Director Fransiska Hamutenya noted the significance of this acquisition, especially considering the location of Mpora on a busy road prone to accidents. "This is the biggest milestone because apart from the patients we are receiving daily, Mpora is also situated on a busy road, which experiences accidents every month, and the ambulance will now assist in responding to fatalities on the road, timely," Hamutenya explained. She also mentioned that prior to this, clinics such as Katjinakatji and Mpora could not adequately respond to emergencies, leading to delays as patients awaited transport from Rundu.

The ambulance is set to serve four clinics at Mangetti, Katjinakatji, Mpora, and parts of Mayirose, with plans to extend services to the Erago clinic pending road improvements. Sinimbo concluded by urging health workers and the community to maintain the ambulance properly, emphasizing it as a shared resource and community asset that must be preserved to fulfill its purpose for years to come.