The Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust (OOCT) handed over a container of medical equipment to the value of N$688,000 to the Oshakati State Hospital on Friday (11 November 2016).
The consignment of medical equipment consists of 19 hospital beds, 20 mattresses, 84 wheelchairs, 35 walking frames, 5 medical couches, 14 commode chairs and 8 bedside cabinets.
The supply of equipment was made possible with the assistance of a German non-profit organization called Support e.V. in Ulm, Germany, who is a partner of OOCT, focusing on Healthcare.
Ohorongo Cement’s Managing Director Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, who handed the equipment to the Deputy Ministry of Health and Social Services, Honourable Juliet Kavetuna, said that 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 (OOCT) to invest back into the nation targeting specific sectors such as the 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, OOCT and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Juliet Kavetuna, who received the equipment, expressed appreciation to the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust (OOCT) 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 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 Hon. 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, OOCT has invested in excess N$17 million into various community projects, of which over ten million went towards medical equipment to hospitals and clinics in Omaheke, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kunene, Otjozondjupa and Ohangwena regions.
The Governor of Oshana region, Hon. Clemens Kashuupulwa, Oshakati town Mayor Katrina Shimbulu, the Health Regional Director, Ms Johana Haimene and medical personal of Oshakati State Hospital witnessed the hand-over of the equipment.
