Hochland Roundtable 154 Medic RUSH goes to Tsumkwe
Standard Bank supports 2013 Hochland Roundtable Medic RUSH – Standing from (l to r) are Chairman of Hochland Roundtable 154 Medic Rush Tega Shiimi-ya-Shiimi, Standard Bank’s Head of CIB Werner Weber, Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Richard Kamwi and Project Convener of Hochland Roundtable 154, Vaja Zatjirua. (Photograph by Lorato Khobetsi)
Standard Bank reaffirmed its commitment for the fifth consecutive year to the Hochland Roundtable 154 Medic RUSH project which will be conducted from 22 to 26 May by voluntary medical professionals.
N$100 000 will be going towards the Medic RUSH’s initiative to promote healthcare to the underprivileged, while N$200 000-00 will go towards the commissioning of a mobile clinic. This year, the Rural Upliftment and Social Healthcare project will take place in Tsumkwe and surrounding areas in the Otjizondjupa.
According to the Project Convener of Hochland Roundtable 154, Vaja Zatjirua, this area was identified as a result of the need by members of the Roundtable who visited the area last year as part of another community project.
“It is in this apparent randomness that target areas for the RUSH are identified and earmarked for a visit. This will be our 6th annual mobile clinic service and this year our target location is new to us, offering unique challenges as well as a myriad of opportunities to assist with the improvement of health delivery in the area,” he said.
He also acknowledged the medical professionals who volunteer their time and services every year. “Without these medical professionals and Standard Bank the initiative will not be a success. Standard Bank is the financial backbone of the Medic Rush,” he added.
Werner Weber, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) at Standard Bank said,“As one of the key players in the Namibian private sector, Standard Bank Namibia believes that it should complement Government’s quest in delivering essential services, such as healthcare to all Namibians in all corners of the country.”
Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Richard Kamwi said that primary health care in Namibia is a collective responsibility whereby all stakeholders should be involved. “These communities are often overlooked and therefore this gesture from Standard Bank Namibia is highly appreciated.”
Previous clinics have provided preventative and curative health care to more than 5000 patients during the past six years. These services include; medical care by doctors, preventative care such as screening for hypertension and diabetes, patient education regarding lifestyle choices, rehabilitative care from physiotherapists and occupational therapy, basic eye care by optometrists and basic chronic wound care.
Last year’s the project visited the communities of Puro and Orupembe in the western Kunene Region
