Dundee donates N$5m to hospital
By Confidente Reporter
DUNDEE Precious Metals Tsumeb has donated N$5 million to the Tsumeb District Hospital to assist with preparations for Covid-19. The donation comes after President Hage Geingob declared a state of emergency in March.
A statement by the company this week outlined that; “The upgrades will improve the preparedness levels of the hospital should the Covid-19 virus be detected in Tsumeb or the Oshikoto region and include: Decontamination facility, Covid-19 screening rooms, refurbishment of existing wards and first fill of the liquid oxygen tank.”
The reception and testing facility will also be upgraded including procurement of hospital equipment, living quarters for the health personnel, cloth masks for 500 community members, installation of an oxygen distribution system and repair of the Tsumeb State Hospital’s ambulance.
In addition, the upgraded isolation wards at the hospital will help healthcare workers in the fight against the coronavirus.
The company also provided support towards the awareness campaign of the Ministry of Health and Social Services by printing and helping distribute communication material about Covid-19.
Speaking at the donation ceremony, Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula extended his delight and sincere gratitude towards Dundee Precious Metals for their ‘generous support to strengthening measures to combat Covid-19 in the region.’
“This investment has come at the right time and complements the Ministry of Health and Social Services efforts to mitigate and contain the virus. On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Social Services I am honoured to express my appreciation and thanks for your unwavering support and commitment. We are honoured and humbled to have such big and supporting partners in your esteemed personnel and committees working so hard to ensure that the hospital is meeting the demand in response to Covid-19 pandemic readiness,” said Shangula.
The Minister further assured Dundee that health workers would guard the infrastructure and equipment jealously to make a difference in the Oshikoto region and Namibia at large. “Your unwavering support is not going unnoticed. We are happy that your esteemed company will leave the legacy as one of the best ever public private partners in the country.”
Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb vice president and Managing Director, Zebra Kasete corroborated on Shangula’s comment saying that the company is committed to safeguarding the health of its workforce and local communities, managing supply chains and addressing the risks posed by the pandemic.
“We have taken this approach because hospitals are the frontlines in the fight against Covid-19 and the warriors are the dedicated doctors, nurses and technicians who need our support. In this fight, we are proud to be part of their supply line to help them conquer a determined and deadly foe. Our frontline health workers have more than earned our gratitude and support.
“Humans are adaptable creatures, more than we perhaps think. The past few months have been stressful on many people, but I am confident in our resilience, our shared commitment to a better tomorrow and grateful that our company can play a role in making our hospital better prepared to manage the virus,” added Kasete.