04/08/2026
During an oversight visit to Okalongo Health Centre in the Omusati region, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Health and Social Services found the facility operating under severe systemic strain despite serving one of the largest catchment populations in the region.
Nurse in charge Kalorina Hinamunhu informed the committee that the health centre serves approximately 52,000 people, more than both Okahao and Tsandi district hospitals placing immense pressure on its already overstretched resources.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, the facility recorded 166 teenage pregnancies, representing 20% of all pregnancies within its catchment area.
The committee also found that a severe shortage of nursing practitioners, coupled with high staff turnover has left critical departments, including emergency and maternity services, staffed by only a single nurse at times.
These staffing challenges have also forced the suspension of essential community outreach programmes.
The committee observed that the facility's infrastructure is in a state of serious disrepair.
Cooling systems and pharmaceutical storage equipment are non-functional, while the incinerator, laundry facilities and backup generator are all out of service. In addition, the GeneXpert machine used to monitor HIV viral loads has been inoperative since September 2025, significantly affecting patient monitoring and retention in HIV care.
Other major challenges include inadequate consultation space, a shortage of patient transport, the absence of on-site social workers, and persistent stock-outs of essential medicines for psychosis and hypertension.
The health centre has also been without malaria testing kits, haemoglobin (HB) strips and condoms for the past six months, undermining both preventive and curative healthcare services.
Despite these significant challenges, Okalongo Health Centre distinguished itself as the only facility visited by the committee across both the Omusati and Ohangwena regions with fully operational adolescent-friendly screening and family planning rooms, demonstrating a continued commitment to youth-friendly healthcare services despite severe resource constraints.
