14 May 2024

Resident of Gumare have called for the establishment of district hospital in their village.

They made this request during a kgotla meeting addressed by Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama on May 13.

Their contention was that government’s long promised primary hospital which never materialised has been overtaken by events therefore government should now construct a referral hospital as there was now a primary hospital in the Okavango District in Shakawe.

However, Mr Hikuama told residents that the 72 beds hospital was long promised to be constructed in Gumare in 2009 and was to be built in phases.

He said the first phase which was construction of staff houses was done but the hospital has not been constructed to date. The Ngami MP said in 2021 the hospital was said to be in the pipeline and at design stage.

Mr Hikuama nonetheless said recent update from the Ministry of Health was that the hospital was on the plan and was going to be a 55 beds hospital.

He said he was also appealing for a district hospital with specialists in areas such as kidney diseases which was common in the Okavango District.

In his comment, a resident Mr Osefelepelo Gaebolae, said Gumare was left behind in developments citing failure to construct a hospital and a sports complex.

Another resident, Mr Timothy Samoxa said Gumare deserved a referral hospital as it already had a primary hospital while Mr Makgetho Makgetho said Gumare was sidelined in developments since most district offices were taken to Shakawe village.

Mr Makgetho also said the junior school in Gumare should be upgraded to a unified secondary school and a junior school be constructed.

When briefing the meeting, the Village Development Committee (VDC) Gumare North chairperson, Ms Mametsi Kesietswe, said they wanted an update on the long promised hospital.

Ms Kesietswe said they appreciated government interventions on drought and government programmes such as Thuo Letlotlo meant to improve agriculture. ENDS