A clinic without nurses is nothing more than a building. Across Namibia, government has invested millions of dollars in constructing clinics to bring healthcare services closer to rural communities.
However, many of these facilities continue to face a serious challenge: attracting and retaining qualified healthcare workers. The problem is not the lack of clinics, but the lack of accommodation for the nurses expected to work in some of the country’s most isolated areas.
It is no secret that many healthcare workers are reluctant to accept postings in rural areas. Reports over the years have highlighted difficulties in filling positions at remote clinics, with accommodation often cited as one of the major concerns. While government builds clinics, staff houses are frequently overlooked. As a result, nurses are expected to find their own accommodation in places where housing is scarce or does not exist at all.
Imagine a vacancy being advertised at Onghumbula Clinic or another remote health facility. Despite qualified nurses being available, many may hesitate to apply because the clinic has no staff accommodation. A nurse who accepts the position must first worry about where to live, as there may be no rental houses nearby and no relatives in the area to provide shelter.
Instead of focusing on serving patients, the healthcare worker is forced to deal with the challenge of finding accommodation in a remote location. Under such circumstances, it is understandable why many nurses choose to apply for positions in towns and cities, where housing and basic services are readily available.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services should make it a policy that every rural clinic must be built together with staff accommodation. A decent house would not only attract healthcare workers to remote areas but would also encourage them to remain there for longer periods. This would reduce staff turnover, improve morale, and ensure continuity of care for local communities.
When clinics operate without enough nurses, it is ordinary citizens who suffer. Patients are forced to wait longer for treatment, some travel great distances to seek medical attention elsewhere, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and young children face additional hardships. Rural residents deserve the same quality of healthcare as those living in towns and cities.
Building houses for nurses should not be viewed as an unnecessary expense. It is an investment in healthcare delivery and rural development. A nurse with secure accommodation is more likely to serve effectively and remain committed to the community.
If Namibia is serious about strengthening healthcare in rural areas, then the solution is clear: build houses for nurses. After all, saving rural healthcare begins with providing healthcare workers a place to call home.
