Improved equipment for Oshakati State Hospital
The Oshakati State Hospital is the recipient of a whole container full of medical equipment thanks to a very substantial contribution from the Otavi-based cement manufacturer, Ohorongo Cement.
Through its Community Investment arm, the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust, an extensive selection of medical items were presented to the state hospital’s management last week. The equipment is worth almost N$700,000.
The consignment of medical equipment consisted of 19 hospital beds, 20 mattresses, 84 wheelchairs, 35 walking frames, 5 medical couches, 14 commode chairs and 8 bedside cabinets.
The gift was made possible with the assistance of a German non-profit organization called Support e.V. in Ulm, Germany, who is the healthcare partner of the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust.
Ohorongo Cement’s Managing Director Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, who handed the equipment to the Deputy Ministry of Health and Social Services, Hon. Juliet Kavetuna, said the donation is intended to complement the existing medical facilities and ensure excellent medical care in public health facilities.
“Ohorongo is in the business of cement manufacturing, but that does not mean we should turn a blind eye on the challenges facing our country. That is why we took a deliberate stance through the establishment of the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust to invest back into the nation targeting specific sectors such as Education, Infrastructure Development and Health,” Schütte said.
He pledged Ohorongo Cement’s continued support to complement government’s efforts in delivery decent medical care to all. The medical equipment donation is as a result of a five year Technical Corporation Agreement between Support e.V, the Trust and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
Kavetuna, who received the equipment, expressed appreciation to the Trust and Support e.V for their support to the health fraternity and pledged to use the items for the intended purpose.
“I assure you that the equipment given to the Oshana Health Directorate and specifically Oshakati State Hospital will be maximally utilised. I therefore request our managers in various sections to take lead towards these items in order to benefit our people. I expect the donated wheelchairs will reach to our Oshana community members in need as quickly as possible. I also expect ownership and good care will be exercised towards these items,” said Kavetuna.
She added that the donation came at the right time when the country’s budget has been compromised by the drought which negatively affected the Ministry’s budget to buy such equipment on time for the hospitals to deliver quality care to patients.
From inception five years ago, the Trust has invested more than N$17 million in various community projects in the Omaheke, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kunene, Otjozondjupa and Ohangwena regions.
