ReconNamibia donates machinery worthy millions to MHSS

• By Martha Nangombe

RECONNAISSANCE Energy Namibia, Country General, Manager Robert Mwanachilenga said their Environmental Social Governance (ESG) approach to business which is centred on health, education and the provision of clean drinking water to the communities in which they operate made easy to respond to government’s call for assistance in the COVID-19 relief programme, especially for the Kavango East and Kavango West regions in which ReconNamibia operate.

Mwanachilenga made these remarks at a special event at which ReconNamibia handed over medical equipment valued at over N$ 6 million.

He further stated that the pandemic affected the entire world and was not one to be left to governments alone to fight.

“We all had to do something. As a responsible corporate citizen, it was very important for us to join the Ministry in their efforts to combat the pandemic.

It gives me great pleasure that this support took a collaborative and hands-on approach and we were able to build a strong and lasting relationship with the Ministry of Health and Social Services in addition to that of the Radioactive sources permitting.

“Further to that, having visited Andara and Naankudhu in the two regions, we have first- hand awareness of the conditions of the hospitals and it is truly humbling that we are able to make a difference. It gives me great pleasure that the vital signs monitors, Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, Ventilators and oxygen masks we are handing– will be able to assist in the delivery of public healthcare, beyond the COVID-19 relief,” he said.

Mwanachilenga said since health was an important pillar of our ESG framework, we cannot thank the ministry enough for this opportunity to collaborate with you and form lasting and impactful partnerships.

“The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS) is a very important stakeholder in our exploration activities. A few people may not know, but apart from this COVID engagement with your ministry Hon. Minister, we as an industry have been engaging the Radiation Authority at the ministry over the years.

“We use equipment with radioactive sources in our exploration activities downhole. This helps us in the logging, basically, the collection of data down in the hole.

I want to state that we work in collaboration with your Ministry’s Radiation Authority who provide us with the Licenses to Possess and Use Radiation Sources for our operations in country. We appreciate the work Tibinyane and his staff are doing in this regard,” Mwanachilenga said.

Speaking at the same event, MHSS Minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula welcomed ReconNamibia’s contribution to the Kavango West health directorate towards achieving the highest vaccination numbers – as part of the vaccination campaign.

“It gives me immense pleasure to receive this generous donation of medical equipment valued at N 764 599 on behalf of the MHSS, from ReconNamibia.

This handover is part of the second phase of ReconNamibia’s N$15 million support to the Ministry’s COVID-19 relief programme. To MHSS leadership and staff, for your commitment during a very difficult time when the country was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Your unwavering devotion has made it possible for us to be able to bring the pandemic under control.

“I also thank ReconNamibia for responding to the needs of the Namibian nation during the pandemic. Your investment in the health sector will go a long way in improving the lives of the Namibian people by ensuring that the delivery of healthcare to the public is optimised,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted that with the N$ 15 million support from Recon Namibia’s, the Ministry was able to attend to the most urgent needs during the pandemic in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions. This includes mortuary service support, oxygen support for hospitals in the two regions and vaccination support to the tune of N$7.6 million. In fact, it is absolutely pleasing to note that the newly established Kavango West Health and Social Welfare Services Directorate had surpassed all regions in terms of vaccination uptake. As a Ministry, we are extremely proud of this achievement and commend ReconNamibia for her contribution to these efforts,” he said.

As part of Phase Two donation, MHSS received vital patient monitors, continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) machines, ventilators and oxygen masks.

“The items donated by ReconNamibia, are not COVID-19 relief specific only but will therefore also be utilized for any other medical need as necessary. The donation directed to the hospitals in Kavango East and Kavango West, will also reduce the burden on the Ministry in having to transport patients from the regions to the capital for medical assistance that require this equipment.

Reconnaissance Energy Namibia is the Namibian subsidiary of ReconAfrica, a Canadian oil and gas company, currently engaged in oil and gas exploration activities in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions of Namibia; and in Botswana.

As part of their exploration program, the company has drilled three stratigraphic test wells and carried out 2D seismic data acquisition programmes.