President Hage Geingob says he is puzzled by Health Minister, Dr Bernard Haufiku’s insistence on exploring alternative sites for the construction of the northern academic referral hospital. In a letter addressed to Haufiku and seen by NBC News, President Geingob said, “comrade Minister, as you are aware, Government – through the Cabinet Committee on Overall Policy and Priorities (CCOPP) – has taken a political decision to ensure that the Northern Academic Referral Hospital is situated in Ondangwa or its surrounding area, as a means to sustain the town’s development. “I am therefore puzzled by your insistence on exploring alternative sites, outside the jurisdiction of Ondangwa town, given the fact that Cabinet has already decided on the matter.” Minister Haufiku confirmed receiving the letter and told NBC News that he had already clarified his position with President Geingob. Haufiku said he had written a letter to Oshana Regional Governor, Clemens Kashuupulwa, at the beginning of this month, informing him that a team of architects and health planners had been in the field exploring possible sites in the region, for construction. However, President Geingob asked that a “all stakeholders respect and adhere to the (Cabinet) decision”. The hospital is to be constructed at an estimated cost of N$1 billion. The location of the proposed hospital caused a wrangle among the three Oshana towns, Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Oshakati.