A retired school principal’s death after a bee attack has left the Onaanda community in the Omusati region mourning a man remembered for his contribution to education and the wider northern community.
Epfras Uushona (78) died on Friday after being attacked and stung by bees at Onaanda village in the Elim constituency, according to national police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi.
Shikwambi, in the police weekend crime report, says Uushona died upon arrival at St Martin Roman Catholic Hospital at Oshikuku.
His next of kin have been informed.
Speaking on behalf of the Onaanda community, Uushona’s friend and neighbour, Sioni Iikela, says his death had left residents devastated.
“Tatekulu Uushona, just like many people from Onaanda community who died due to unavailability of medical services in the surrounding, left us so devastated and disappointed,” Iikela says.
He says Uushona was the first principal of Ongandjera Secondary School and had made meaningful contributions to the community and the northern region.
He says the community was mourning not only the loss of a prominent figure but also the challenges residents face in accessing healthcare services.
Iikela says Onaanda had lost people in road accidents, snake bites and other medical emergencies, which he attributes to the lack of accessible medical services.
He says he had written to the minister of health and social services earlier this year to raise concerns about healthcare provision in the area but had not received an acknowledgement.
He adds that his attempts to reach the minister by telephone had been unsuccessful.
“As Onaanda community, we have endured enough. We have suffered enough. Until when will we suffer like this? Who will hear our cries?” Iikela asks.
He calls on the government to operationalise the Onaanda Medical Centre, saying it would help residents access medical care closer to home.
“The truth is that the government will not incur any financial costs because everything is already there,” he says.
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