By: Julia Heita
The private sector through the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) donated a 21 tonne oxygen to the ministry of health. The handover took place this morning at the Katutura intermediate hospital.
The initiative is aimed at tackling the current shortage of medical oxygen to mitigate and minimize the effects of the pandemic in the country in an effort to restore the supply of critical oxygen to assist COVID-19 patients.
The initial tonnage of liquid oxygen donated today will be used to fill up the bulk storage tank at the Katatura State Hospital.
NCCI President Bisey Uirab said that the
remaining amount of oxygen will be distributed to other hospitals in critically short supply.
“We want to reassure you, Honorable Minister and the Government of Namibia, of our commitment as business Namibia to continue to support the Government in advancing health security at this critical time,” he said.
Uirab said that they have been informed that as it stands the current medical oxygen shortfall in Namibia is between 150 and 180 tonnes per month. “This is over and above the capacity being provided by the current supplier.”
Uirab further explained that the private sector initiative hopes to dismantle the negative publicity around Covid vaccinations and to lead the drive to vaccinate the Namibian population as soon as possible.
“We encourage people to take vaccinations as provided by the government, and also call upon the populace to adhere to the laid down Covid-19 protocols in order to slow down the infection rate,” he added.
