The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) through its private-led initiative on Wednesday handed over a 40-bed fully equipped field hospital erected at the Oshakati State Hospital to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The hospital will accommodate COVID-19 infected patients and was realised as a result of the NCCI private sector’s emergency response initiative which was launched as a coordinated intervention to support government in the fight against the pandemic.
Through this coalition, the Namibian private sector has mobilised funding and resources targeting key emergency needs in Namibia’s State hospitals and public health facilities including the supply of medical oxygen, support to address space shortage in health facilities, as well as the supply of emergency medical equipment.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said it was heart-warming to see efforts by the Namibian private sector to assist efforts by the government.
Shangula listed further assistance rendered by NCCI to the local health sector, noting that the private sector is a critical partner in the country’s response to the pandemic as their support has enabled the government to strengthen the capacity of the country’s health care systems.
“It is pleasing that the added capacity that has been created is standing ready to serve our people whenever the need arises and it will go a long way in improving impatient care for COVID-19 patients,” he said.
On his part, Oshana governor Elia Irimari commended the NCCI and its partners as well as the government for the donation, saying the hospital is significant to the region’s fight against COVID-19.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic outbreak our health sector in the region has been put under enormous pressure which has not only challenged our response efforts, but also placed an unprecedented responsibility on our health care workers to find innovative means of optimising healthcare services to our people,” Irimari said.
He adding that the private sector has been of great assistance and a reliable partner to the government.
A similar field hospital was commissioned in the Khomas Region earlier.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
