By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
A United States-based company has donated N$4.5 million worth of medical equipment and supplies to Namibia.
MedShare International, a non-governmental organisation, receives supplies and equipment from hospitals from around the US, outpatient centres and medical manufacturers and distributors and donates them to developing countries around the globe.
Yesterday, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Kahijoro Kahuure, on behalf of minister Dr Richard Kamwi, received the donated medical goods.
He said a 40-feet container packed with medical supplies and equipment arrived at the port of Walvis Bay in March this year.
The donation comes two years after Minister of Trade, Dr Hage Geingob, led a delegation to the US at the invitation of the late executive director for the Georgia African Growth and Opportunities Act Commission, Davidayon Mayers-Kelley. The donated goods include dental units, dental x-ray machine, electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors, suction pump, nebulizers, surgical gloves and masks, surgical gowns breathing circuits and catheters.
“This indeed is a great bonus to some departments and hospitals within our health services. Our next step is to distribute the equipment to relevant hospitals that are eagerly waiting for these very useful supplies,” said Kahuure.
The health sector, being so big, has been faced with many challenges among them lack of adequate medical equipment and a limited number of skilled personnel. The permanent secretary expressed gratitude towards the Namibian Embassy in Washington DC for the facilitation role with MedShare International Project.
US Ambassador to Namibia, Dennise Mathieu, witnessed the hand over.
She said, “I hope this medical donation will be instrumental in reinforcing the bonds of friendship between the two countries.”