The Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) has donated a temporally 70-bed Field Hospital to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to assist accommodate more patients amid the rising cases of COVID-19 being experienced in the country.

The 1 500-meter-square facility is currently being set up at the Windhoek Central Hospital at a cost of N.dollars 1.8 million, and will provide additional beds for Namibians, in urgent need of hospitalization as both public and private hospitals have reportedly run out of bed space for COVID-19 patients.

A media statement by the Ohlthaver and List (O&L) Group on Wednesday said NBL has partnered with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and other private sector companies, including the O&L Group, to support the Namibian Government with the severe impact of COVID-19 and through this bring new hope to those fighting for their lives.

In the statement, NBL Managing Director, Marco Wenk said apart from inadequate bed space and capacity, hospitals around the country are currently facing exceptional challenges in terms of a shortage of equipment and medication, noting that the O&L Group, has therefore also pledged an amount of N.dollars 1 million, securing a total of 63 tons of life-saving medical oxygen machines.

The contribution by O&L, together with other donations from the private sector, will secure the urgent supply of medical oxygen to help save the lives of many Namibians, he noted.

“The spike in the COVID-19 positive cases and its ripple effects, is devastating. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones or are severely impacted by the pandemic… Now more than ever, we must take individual responsibility and fully adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. It will take the support and commitment of the entire nation to overcome this pandemic,’ Wenk said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency