We are dying slowly here – a pensioner
Written by Elvis Mboya
WHAT used to be a sanctuary for the aged – Katutura Old Age Home – has been turned into a place where people come to wait for their death on empty stomachs and under extremely difficult conditions.
While old people’s homes worldwide are regarded as resting places before the final day, Katutura Old Age Home does not offer that peace of mind with its depressing appalling conditions.
Informanté visited the home three weeks ago and since then, two of the pensioners – Alfred Kashimunwe and Anna Meize – have died.
The supervisor of the Home established in the 70s by the City of Windhoek and now run by a non governmental organisation, Martha Pholoana confirmed the deaths this week.
The matron said that since the pensioners are old, they are constantly ill. She added that there are only three nurses that visit every month. “They need constant medical attention. Many die as a result of sicknesses.”
“People are dying. Only within three weeks, two people died. There are more who are sick and we have to take responsibility.”
Pholoana is appealing to well-wishers and especially the Government for assistance.
When Informante’ visited Kashimunwe and Mieze were unable to talk and were bed-ridden but those who spoke painted a grim and bleak life at the home.
About 20 of the Home’s residents who are all retirees said they survive on one meal – usually macaroni without sauce or meat - per day. The macaroni is served at 13h00 and thereafter they are left to fend for themselves using their N$450 Government Pension Grant.
Those who are over 80 years-old said some of their unemployed family members constantly flock to their one-roomed shelters looking for food and shelter.
Joseph Kambonde (88) who looks after his bedridden wife Sarah in a tiny room at the home couldn’t contain his rage saying he was taking care of his family.
“They are here because I don’t have an option. I don’t want my whole family to die with me here.”
His wife Sarah, who could neither speak nor move, had been sick for months.
“Social workers come once in a while but she needs to be in hospital. I can’t afford that. We sleep on empty stomachs, no medication. Are we just dumped here to die?” lamented Kambonde.
David Kambalala, 77, who was basking in the hot afternoon sun, spoke of the agonising times at the Home and the hunger which was slowly eating them.
Frail-looking Kambalala asked why the Government had neglected their plight, saying: “I fought for the country. Is this the price to pay?”
“I have to sleep on an empty stomach. They give only a plate of macaroni at lunch. It’s not easy for an old man like me,” he said.
Another 77-year old, John McKenzi, echoed the same sentiments asking the Government to intervene in resolving their plight.
“This money (N$450) they are giving us is not enough. We still take care of our families with this money and buy food to cook. We can’t depend on this food. We struggled for this country. Is this the way to say thank you to us?”
Their grievances were shared by Eliaser Cloete (81), Robert Slanger (87), and Gert Swartbooi (67).
“Are we just dumped here to die?” They asked.
Mieze and Kashimunwe were buried last weekend at Khomasdal Cemetery.
When contacted for comment, Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, referred Informanté to his juniors. “I don’t have information on the ground. They (officers) should know.”
The office of Directorate of Social Services said that they have responsibilities over other old age homes except Katutura: “We only provide subsidies. This happens upon request,” Mary Farmer, in-charge of Old age Homes at the Ministry said.
Pholoana said the Home depends on charity for food and medical care for the elderly residents.
She also said the institution is supposed to house over 50 pensioners, but there were currently only 22, “because of numerous death tolls and lack of willing sponsors”.
For a pensioner to be admitted, they have to be 60 years or older, healthy, able to use the toilet on their own, bath and wash their underwear.
In the State of the Nation address in April this year, President Hifikepunye Pohamba explained that Government had increased the funeral benefit for senior citizens to N$2,200.00 and not the social grant. [rc]
E-Mail: informante3@tgi.na
© 2008 Informante
Click to see earlier report
July 3, 2009
NAMIBIA: We are dying slowly here – a pensioner
.
WINDHOEK, Namibia / Informanté.web.na / July 3, 2009
We are dying slowly here – a pensioner
Written by Elvis Mboya
WHAT used to be a sanctuary for the aged – Katutura Old Age Home – has been turned into a place where people come to wait for their death on empty stomachs and under extremely difficult conditions.
While old people’s homes worldwide are regarded as resting places before the final day, Katutura Old Age Home does not offer that peace of mind with its depressing appalling conditions.
Informanté visited the home three weeks ago and since then, two of the pensioners – Alfred Kashimunwe and Anna Meize – have died.
The supervisor of the Home established in the 70s by the City of Windhoek and now run by a non governmental organisation, Martha Pholoana confirmed the deaths this week.
The matron said that since the pensioners are old, they are constantly ill. She added that there are only three nurses that visit every month. “They need constant medical attention. Many die as a result of sicknesses.”
“People are dying. Only within three weeks, two people died. There are more who are sick and we have to take responsibility.”
Pholoana is appealing to well-wishers and especially the Government for assistance.
When Informante’ visited Kashimunwe and Mieze were unable to talk and were bed-ridden but those who spoke painted a grim and bleak life at the home.
About 20 of the Home’s residents who are all retirees said they survive on one meal – usually macaroni without sauce or meat - per day. The macaroni is served at 13h00 and thereafter they are left to fend for themselves using their N$450 Government Pension Grant.
Those who are over 80 years-old said some of their unemployed family members constantly flock to their one-roomed shelters looking for food and shelter.
Joseph Kambonde (88) who looks after his bedridden wife Sarah in a tiny room at the home couldn’t contain his rage saying he was taking care of his family.
“They are here because I don’t have an option. I don’t want my whole family to die with me here.”
His wife Sarah, who could neither speak nor move, had been sick for months.
“Social workers come once in a while but she needs to be in hospital. I can’t afford that. We sleep on empty stomachs, no medication. Are we just dumped here to die?” lamented Kambonde.
David Kambalala, 77, who was basking in the hot afternoon sun, spoke of the agonising times at the Home and the hunger which was slowly eating them.
Frail-looking Kambalala asked why the Government had neglected their plight, saying: “I fought for the country. Is this the price to pay?”
“I have to sleep on an empty stomach. They give only a plate of macaroni at lunch. It’s not easy for an old man like me,” he said.
Another 77-year old, John McKenzi, echoed the same sentiments asking the Government to intervene in resolving their plight.
“This money (N$450) they are giving us is not enough. We still take care of our families with this money and buy food to cook. We can’t depend on this food. We struggled for this country. Is this the way to say thank you to us?”
Their grievances were shared by Eliaser Cloete (81), Robert Slanger (87), and Gert Swartbooi (67).
“Are we just dumped here to die?” They asked.
Mieze and Kashimunwe were buried last weekend at Khomasdal Cemetery.
When contacted for comment, Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, referred Informanté to his juniors. “I don’t have information on the ground. They (officers) should know.”
The office of Directorate of Social Services said that they have responsibilities over other old age homes except Katutura: “We only provide subsidies. This happens upon request,” Mary Farmer, in-charge of Old age Homes at the Ministry said.
Pholoana said the Home depends on charity for food and medical care for the elderly residents.
She also said the institution is supposed to house over 50 pensioners, but there were currently only 22, “because of numerous death tolls and lack of willing sponsors”.
For a pensioner to be admitted, they have to be 60 years or older, healthy, able to use the toilet on their own, bath and wash their underwear.
In the State of the Nation address in April this year, President Hifikepunye Pohamba explained that Government had increased the funeral benefit for senior citizens to N$2,200.00 and not the social grant. [rc]
E-Mail: informante3@tgi.na
© 2008 Informante
Click to see earlier report
We are dying slowly here – a pensioner
Written by Elvis Mboya
WHAT used to be a sanctuary for the aged – Katutura Old Age Home – has been turned into a place where people come to wait for their death on empty stomachs and under extremely difficult conditions.
While old people’s homes worldwide are regarded as resting places before the final day, Katutura Old Age Home does not offer that peace of mind with its depressing appalling conditions.
Informanté visited the home three weeks ago and since then, two of the pensioners – Alfred Kashimunwe and Anna Meize – have died.
The supervisor of the Home established in the 70s by the City of Windhoek and now run by a non governmental organisation, Martha Pholoana confirmed the deaths this week.
The matron said that since the pensioners are old, they are constantly ill. She added that there are only three nurses that visit every month. “They need constant medical attention. Many die as a result of sicknesses.”
“People are dying. Only within three weeks, two people died. There are more who are sick and we have to take responsibility.”
Pholoana is appealing to well-wishers and especially the Government for assistance.
When Informante’ visited Kashimunwe and Mieze were unable to talk and were bed-ridden but those who spoke painted a grim and bleak life at the home.
About 20 of the Home’s residents who are all retirees said they survive on one meal – usually macaroni without sauce or meat - per day. The macaroni is served at 13h00 and thereafter they are left to fend for themselves using their N$450 Government Pension Grant.
Those who are over 80 years-old said some of their unemployed family members constantly flock to their one-roomed shelters looking for food and shelter.
Joseph Kambonde (88) who looks after his bedridden wife Sarah in a tiny room at the home couldn’t contain his rage saying he was taking care of his family.
“They are here because I don’t have an option. I don’t want my whole family to die with me here.”
His wife Sarah, who could neither speak nor move, had been sick for months.
“Social workers come once in a while but she needs to be in hospital. I can’t afford that. We sleep on empty stomachs, no medication. Are we just dumped here to die?” lamented Kambonde.
David Kambalala, 77, who was basking in the hot afternoon sun, spoke of the agonising times at the Home and the hunger which was slowly eating them.
Frail-looking Kambalala asked why the Government had neglected their plight, saying: “I fought for the country. Is this the price to pay?”
“I have to sleep on an empty stomach. They give only a plate of macaroni at lunch. It’s not easy for an old man like me,” he said.
Another 77-year old, John McKenzi, echoed the same sentiments asking the Government to intervene in resolving their plight.
“This money (N$450) they are giving us is not enough. We still take care of our families with this money and buy food to cook. We can’t depend on this food. We struggled for this country. Is this the way to say thank you to us?”
Their grievances were shared by Eliaser Cloete (81), Robert Slanger (87), and Gert Swartbooi (67).
“Are we just dumped here to die?” They asked.
Mieze and Kashimunwe were buried last weekend at Khomasdal Cemetery.
When contacted for comment, Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, referred Informanté to his juniors. “I don’t have information on the ground. They (officers) should know.”
The office of Directorate of Social Services said that they have responsibilities over other old age homes except Katutura: “We only provide subsidies. This happens upon request,” Mary Farmer, in-charge of Old age Homes at the Ministry said.
Pholoana said the Home depends on charity for food and medical care for the elderly residents.
She also said the institution is supposed to house over 50 pensioners, but there were currently only 22, “because of numerous death tolls and lack of willing sponsors”.
For a pensioner to be admitted, they have to be 60 years or older, healthy, able to use the toilet on their own, bath and wash their underwear.
In the State of the Nation address in April this year, President Hifikepunye Pohamba explained that Government had increased the funeral benefit for senior citizens to N$2,200.00 and not the social grant. [rc]
E-Mail: informante3@tgi.na
© 2008 Informante
Click to see earlier report
