Patience Makwele
Nurse and entrepreneur Lucia Muatale is working to improve access to specialised healthcare services in northern Namibia through the establishment of Knickerbock Sub-Acute & Hospital Care in Ongwediva.
At 39, Muatale established the facility to reduce the need for patients to travel to Windhoek for specialised recovery and oncology treatment.
Her journey into healthcare entrepreneurship grew from both personal experience and professional observation.
Muatale grew up in a single-parent household after losing her father at the age of 12.
She says her mother’s determination shaped her outlook on life.
“My mother became my greatest role model. Watching her handle everything on her own taught me strength and responsibility. I wanted to grow up to be someone who could also make a difference,” Muatale said.
Her decision to pursue nursing was guided by both passion and practicality.
Nursing offered stable employment, but she also felt drawn to helping people in difficult moments.
Over time, her work in the healthcare sector exposed a challenge affecting many patients in northern Namibia.
She noticed that patients who were medically stable but still required recovery care were often transferred to facilities in Windhoek because the services were not available in the northern regions.
According to her, these transfers placed emotional and financial strain on families who had to travel long distances to visit relatives receiving treatment.
Muatale said this reality prompted her to reflect on what patients and families were going through.
“I kept thinking about how I would feel if it were my family member being moved far from home just because our town did not have the necessary services,” she said.
That reflection led to the idea of establishing a sub-acute and oncology care facility in Ongwediva.
She said she chose Ongwediva because of its existing medical infrastructure and its location, which allows it to serve surrounding communities in northern Namibia.
However, introducing the concept of subacute care to the region came with challenges.
Muatale said many residents were unfamiliar with the role of such facilities, which required ongoing awareness efforts.
She explained that a subacute facility provides care for patients who are medically stable but still need monitoring and recovery support before returning home.
“Many people initially did not understand the purpose of the facility. We had to spend time explaining that this is about helping patients recover safely before they go back to their daily lives,” she said.
As awareness has grown, she says the response from the community has been encouraging.
Doctors and hospitals have begun referring patients to the facility as the need for recovery care services in the region becomes clearer.
Muatale said the journey also shaped her understanding of leadership and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector.
She expected to face more barriers but instead experienced strong support from colleagues and community members.
“In healthcare, the goal is not competition but patient wellbeing. Everyone works towards one purpose — providing the best possible care.”
She believes progress in the medical field depends on teamwork and professional cooperation.
Muatale also encourages young women interested in healthcare careers to pursue their goals with confidence.
“The medical field is wide and full of opportunities. Start with what you have, grow step by step, and allow yourself to learn from every challenge because each experience builds strength,” Muatale stated.
