Due to the generous support of Cadilu Fishing (Pty.) Ltd. (N$50 000), Ombaye Fishing (Pty.) Ltd. (N$ 40 000), the Rotary Club of Walvis Bay (N$ 30 000), Namcoast (Pty.) Ltd. (N$ 10 000), Namcoast Fishing (N$ 10 000) and the Rotary Club of Edinburgh, Scotland (£ 250), and in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, building work has started on the construction of a TB Isolation Ward at the State Hospital. The TB Isolation Ward is to be constructed from the shell of four unused garages forming part of the State Hospital Complex. The N$ 140 000 4-month building contract has been awarded to the local building contractor, Walcon SSB.

The Rotary Club of Walvis Bay has identified TB as a sickness in Walvis Bay that requires urgent attention. The Rotary Club of Walvis Bay together with its partners in the fishing industry, Cadilu, Ombaye and Namcoast, and the Ministry of Health and Social Services have decided to comprehensively tackle TB by the construction of an Isolation Ward at the State Hospital. In the long term the project aims to reduce TB in Walvis Bay and to protect those in Walvis Bay who are still free of TB.

This project is also the Centennial Project of the Rotary Club of Walvis Bay, to celebrate 100-Years of Rotary in the world.

Detailed and lengthy planning by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Rotary Club of Walvis Bay over the last few months has resulted in the implementation of a meaningful project of great importance for Walvis Bay. Once completed, the TB Isolation Ward will be manned by dedicated State Hospital staff from the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of May 2004. During June 2004 the TB Isolation Ward will be opened by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Libertine Amadhila.