Old age home in a deplorable condition
More than ten units at the Senior Park retirement home have been vacant for over five years, yet low-income pensioners cannot live in these units due to the poor condition and silence from both management and the line ministry.
The Senior Park retirement home, managed by the Ministry of Health and Human Services, has more than ten vacant units that are neglected and gradually deteriorating. These units have reportedly been unoccupied for over five years. The home, which consists of approximately 130 units, is intended to serve as a refuge for senior citizens on low incomes.An employee of the facility, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, expressed frustration with the prolonged vacancy and the ministry's lack of response to applications. "People, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, approach me on the street or even come to the facility and ask for housing. They claim to have applied years ago but have heard nothing. Their requests seem to have been ignored," the source said.
In addition to the vacant units, concerns have also been raised about the maintenance and living conditions at the facility. The source described the condition of the premises as, "looking like a prison".
Weeds are growing everywhere, and promises to clean up are repeatedly postponed with excuses – supposedly, cleaning and weeding should only be done after the rainy season.”
Neglect
The informant also criticized the facility's management, claiming that the current manager lacks compassion and fails to address urgent problems. “He doesn't care about the people. Residents living here are over 80 years old and can no longer manage on their own. Some can't even fetch water or manage their daily chores, yet they are left to fend for themselves.”
Additional financial difficulties exacerbate the residents' problems. One resident reported living on a monthly government allowance of N$1 600 and an additional N$400 from the Government Pension Fund (GIPF).
Although the monthly rent is only N$80 (including water), the electricity bill adds an additional N$400 to N$500 per month. “After paying for electricity and other necessities, there's almost nothing left. It's hard to make ends meet."
When asked for comment yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Human Services spokesperson Walters Kamaya said he could not respond immediately. "You have to give us a few days. Even if I wanted to give an answer, I couldn't. I don't want to say anything wrong. The questionnaire has been forwarded to the relevant agencies, particularly the Ministry of Works and Transport, which is responsible for maintenance. Any response must also be approved by the Permanent Secretary."
The facility's director, Mike Ellis, also declined to comment on the issues. "Talk to the ministry about this issue. I'm not the right person to speak with. I can't give you an answer."
The Senior Citizens' Pension Act (Act 81 of 1967) states that it is the government's responsibility to provide decent living conditions for senior citizens and ensure their well-being and safety. The continued neglect and vacancy of the units at Senior Park raise questions about whether these obligations are being met.