Ondangwa
Ohorongo Cement on Friday donated top quality theatre equipment to Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital to assist government in providing comprehensive health care to patients.
The N$204 000 donation included colonscopes, gastroscopes, sigmoido scopes, protoscopes, rectoscopes and wheelchairs, among others.
Receiving the donation, the Minister of Health and Social Services Bernard Haufiku said that his mission is to ensure that Onandjokwe hospital will perform the necessary operations by making use of state-of-the-art technical equipment.
The minister assured that the ministry is at the helm of strengthening all district hospitals countrywide.
At present, the minister said, he is lobbying for Onandjokwe hospital to get a laparoscopic.
The minister was however content with the improvements at the hospital since his last visit there earlier this year. During his last visit, the minister discovered the hospital was in a sorry state, which included dilapidated infrastructure and old medical equipment, which prompted him to engage private companies to come to the hospital’s rescue.
“Problems at this hospital will soon be something of the past – we just have to work together,” assured the minister.
Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Oshikoto Region Henock Kankoshi implored private companies to emulate Ohorongo’s gesture, saying that the government’s budgetary provision is not adequate to address all health challenges.
“Admittedly, the government does not have a bottomless pit from where money can be drawn and besides, there are equally critical needs in other sectors which also need funding. This is now where the support and assistance of various stakeholders are needed,” said Kankoshi. Kankoshi urged management and hospital staff to utilize the donated equipment for the intended purpose.
“Please take care of them and ensure that you derive good benefits from them, for the benefit of our people,” implored Kankoshi.
The general administration manager of Ohorongo Cement, Rudolf Coetzee, said that Ohorongo has already invested about N$6.5 million in corporate social investment projects and it will continue to make a change in the community.
“This certainly is only a start for some projects and we look forward to make a change within the community with the support of our stakeholders,” said Coetzee.
The minister also used the platform to inform the attendees that Ondangwa will soon get a district hospital to ease the load at Onandjokwe.