Four tall buildings near Windhoek Central Hospital used to house many healthcare workers. After construction finished in 1980, the medical staff lived there for 45 years. The buildings had eight floors and 320 apartments for Ministry of Health employees. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals called these places home. Each building provided good housing close to the hospital.
The buildings face serious problems today. Paint peels from crumbling walls, and water damages ceilings throughout the structures. Broken elevators no longer work, and missing doors leave apartments open. Windows have cracks, and hallways fill with trash from neglect. Three buildings have become unsafe for people to live in.
Officials moved the remaining residents to Block F in March 2024. This single building contains 10 apartments across eight floors. Each apartment has a small kitchen and built-in closet space. Essential workers like maintenance staff and emergency responders still live there. The government charges just N$300 monthly rent for these units.
According to health director Penda Ithindi, fixing all four buildings would cost N$67.2 million. Each building needs N$16.2 million for repairs, and each floor costs N$2.1 million. Budget problems have delayed the renovation work. The government wants private companies to help pay for repairs. Housing mothers and security guards watch over the remaining occupied building.
The buildings face serious problems today. Paint peels from crumbling walls, and water damages ceilings throughout the structures. Broken elevators no longer work, and missing doors leave apartments open. Windows have cracks, and hallways fill with trash from neglect. Three buildings have become unsafe for people to live in.
Officials moved the remaining residents to Block F in March 2024. This single building contains 10 apartments across eight floors. Each apartment has a small kitchen and built-in closet space. Essential workers like maintenance staff and emergency responders still live there. The government charges just N$300 monthly rent for these units.
According to health director Penda Ithindi, fixing all four buildings would cost N$67.2 million. Each building needs N$16.2 million for repairs, and each floor costs N$2.1 million. Budget problems have delayed the renovation work. The government wants private companies to help pay for repairs. Housing mothers and security guards watch over the remaining occupied building.
