Private Mental Health & Rehabilitation Facility
About Mecca

Welcome to Mecca Psychotherapeutic Centre

A private mental health and rehabilitation facility in Ongwediva, Namibia, established in 2025 to address a significant gap in mental health services across Northern Namibia.

Mecca Psychotherapeutic Centre is a private mental health and rehabilitation facility located in Ongwediva, Namibia. Established in 2025 by Dr Kleopas Elago Henok, the centre was created to address a significant gap in mental health services across Northern Namibia.

State hospitals in the region serve large populations with limited psychiatric resources. Overcrowding, long waiting periods, and a shortage of specialist staff often mean that patients with mental health conditions do not receive the sustained, individualised care that recovery requires. Mecca was built to support and complement government efforts by offering additional capacity, specialist psychiatric care, and a structured therapeutic environment.

The facility is located on the premises formerly known as Mango Guesthouse, situated behind the Ongwediva Town Council. It accommodates up to 30 patients at any given time, with a combination of standard rooms and specialised care units. Three high-risk rooms with capacity for six clients are available for patients requiring closer observation, and two isolation rooms provide a safe space for the stabilisation of patients experiencing acute psychotic episodes or aggressive behaviour.

Every aspect of the centre has been designed with recovery in mind. From the clinical spaces where assessments and consultations take place, to the outdoor lapa, garden, gym, library, and entertainment areas, the facility balances structured treatment with restorative activities. Patients engage in a daily programme that may include occupational therapy, music therapy, psychoeducation, physical exercise, and individual or group counselling sessions.

Mecca accepts both private (cash-paying) clients and medical aid members. A dedicated admissions team guides patients and families through the financial and administrative process, ensuring a smooth transition into care.

Dr Kleopas Elago Henok — Founder of Mecca Psychotherapeutic Centre

Dr Kleopas Elago Henok

MBChB (Yaroslavl Medical Academy), General Practitioner, Founder

Dr Kleopas Elago Henok is a registered General Practitioner and the founder of Mecca Psychotherapeutic Centre. After completing his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Yaroslavl Medical Academy, Dr Henok built a career in general practice across Northern Namibia, developing a firsthand understanding of the mental health challenges facing the region.

That experience shaped his decision to establish Mecca. In state facilities, mental health services are often stretched thin. Long waiting lists, limited therapy options, and overcrowded wards mean that many patients do not receive the individualised attention their conditions require. Dr Henok founded Mecca Psychotherapeutic Centre in 2025 to create a facility where that gap could begin to close.

His role at the centre goes beyond administration. Dr Henok oversees the clinical direction of the facility, ensuring that each patient's treatment plan aligns with evidence-based protocols. He is closely involved in admissions, medical oversight, and the day-to-day care of patients, working alongside the psychiatric and therapeutic team to maintain a high standard of care.

Outside of medicine, Dr Henok is an active member of his community in Ongwediva. His commitment to improving healthcare access in Northern Namibia is the driving force behind Mecca's mission.

Dr Nelao Mhata — Resident Psychiatrist at Mecca Psychotherapeutic Centre

Dr Nelao Mhata

MBChB (Pret), MMed (UKZN), FC Psych (SA), Resident Psychiatrist

Dr Nelao Mhata is a specialist psychiatrist and the resident psychiatric clinician at Mecca Psychotherapeutic Centre. She completed her MBChB at the University of Pretoria, followed by a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She also holds a Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa, a postgraduate credential that reflects advanced training in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

Dr Mhata's clinical scope covers the full spectrum of psychiatric conditions. She provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, neurocognitive disorders, including dementia, ADHD in both children and adults, bipolar and related disorders, trauma-related disorders, maternal mental health, obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorders, and workplace mental health concerns. She also conducts curatorship assessments for legal and family purposes.

Her approach is thorough and methodical. Each patient undergoes a detailed psychiatric evaluation before treatment begins, and care plans are adjusted as progress is monitored. Dr Mhata works closely with the broader team at Mecca to ensure that psychiatric treatment is supported by therapeutic and rehabilitative programmes, providing a well-rounded recovery experience for every patient.

Dr Mhata is affiliated with UpLift Mental Health Care and serves as a visiting specialist psychiatrist in Ongwediva, extending access to specialist psychiatric services in a region where such expertise has historically been limited.

Dr Suzana Malunga

Dr Suzana Malunga

Dip Phyt. Integrative Medicine (UWC), Paediatric Nutritionist Certification (2019-2020, BU), MSc in Sexual & Reproductive Medicine (USW)

Dr Suzana Malunga has experience across healthcare, wellness support, and transformational coaching, with a strong interest in holistic wellbeing and women's health. Her professional journey combines clinical insight with a broader focus on emotional wellness, nutrition, mental health, and complementary medicine.

She has continued to expand her knowledge through studies in Complementary and Natural Medicine, Mental Health Therapy, and Paediatric Nutrition. She is currently pursuing her MSc as an Infertility Specialist student through the University of South Wales. She has also completed a Paediatric Nutritionist certification through Boston University.

Alongside her healthcare work, Dr Malunga has served as a volunteer Transformational and Wellness Coach at The Healing Centre for the past seven years. In this role, she has worked closely with individuals navigating personal, emotional, and health-related challenges, providing support focused on healing, balance, and long-term wellbeing.

Her work reflects a holistic understanding of healthcare, recognising the connection between physical health, emotional wellbeing, lifestyle and personal growth. Through her combined experience in wellness coaching, mental health support, and healthcare services, Dr Malunga approaches patient care with compassion, empathy, and a strong commitment to helping individuals feel supported throughout their journey.

Dr Malunga is passionate about improving wellbeing within the communities she serves through education, wellness advocacy, and accessible healthcare support.

Ndinelao T. Shihepo — Clinical Psychologist

Ndinelao T. Shihepo

MA Clin Psych (UNAM)

Ndinelao T. Shihepo is a registered Clinical Psychologist with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Namibia (UNAM). She is passionate about promoting health and wellbeing, with particular interests in trauma, community psychology and health services in humanitarian settings.

Ndinelao brings over ten years of work experience in health projects coordination in various settings, such as non-governmental organisations, government and United Nations health projects for refugees, and the private sector. Since 2020, she has worked as a state Clinical Psychologist for the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) at the Windhoek Central Hospital Mental Health Care Centre, where she provides psychological care and support to the public.

She remains actively involved in initiatives aimed at improving access to mental health and psychological services in Namibia. In 2021, Ndinelao was selected by the Psychological Association of Namibia (PAN) to participate in the Global Psychology Learning Leadership Institute as an Emerging Leader under the American Psychological Association Office of International Affairs.

In 2022, she served as vice-president of PAN. Since 2021, she has been working on a public-private partnership project which looks at increasing access to psychological care in Namibia for people with limited to no access to these services in their regions.

In March 2025, Ndinelao was invited as a speaker at the International Summit on Psychology and Global Health in Kingston, Jamaica, where she contributed to discussions on mental health access and global psychological care initiatives.