Ohorongo Cement on Monday handed over medical equipment and supplies worth over N.dollars 26 million to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to assist government during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The equipment includes medical masks, surgical gowns, wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and a variety of other medical supplies.
Speaking during the handover ceremony here, Ohorongo Managing Director, Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, said apart from the donation, the company has thus far spent over N.dollars 38 million on social projects and medical supplies. The company has a partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services spanning over 10 years.
“This ongoing private-public partnership in the public health sector serves to narrow the gap caused by resource constraints as well as improve access to quality health services,” Schütte said.
Accepting the donation, Health Minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the COVID-19 third wave, associated with a rapid increase in the number of hospital admissions across the country, has brought Namibians together.
“It is during these trying times that Namibians demonstrated solidarity and care for one another. The Ministry of Health and Social Services became the major beneficiary of benevolence and goodwill of the public, development partners and the international community. We received donations in the form of medical equipment, diagnostic tools, PPEs and therapeutic agents as well as human resources for health adding to our own internal resources,” he said.
Shangula cautioned that although Namibia is observing a downward trend in the number of new cases, hospitalisation and deaths, the public still need to continue with vigilance until the numbers of new infections are lowered significantly.
“We have come a long way in the fight against this pandemic. Although positive cases are decreasing, we cannot let our guard down, but should now, more than ever reinforce our strength by getting vaccinated to build a barrier in anticipation of a possible fourth wave. We have to continue to protect our healthcare workers for them to serve the nation in a safe environment,” Shangula said.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
