2015-03-16Staff Report 2 KATIMA MULILO - The appeal for support from the private sector by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, resulted in Standard Bank donating over N$1.5 million towards the health sector in Katima Mulilo. The generous donation from Standard Bank will go a long way to boost the delivery of quality healthcare services in Zambezi Region. Of the amount N$500 000 has already been used to erect car ports for health staff, while the other portion would be used to build nurses’ houses. Speaking during the recent handover ceremony Kamwi praised Standard Bank for having assisted the ministry in many of its projects. “Standard Bank has been associated with a number of notable projects within the ministry that have added value to our infrastructure and thus improved service delivery. One such project is the car port at Oshakati hospital in Oshana Region,” Kamwi stated at the event. According to Kamwi the ministy’s vehicles are not ordinary and they play a bigger part in health delivery services thus contributing to efforts aimed at saving patients’ lives. “The vehicles of the ministry are special lifesaving vehicles. This is why Standard Bank decided to spend a lot of money erecting car ports, which will prolong the life of existing vehicles,” noted Kamwi. He encouraged other stakeholders to emulate the good gesture showed by Standard Bank in pursuit of the goal of health for all. “The needs here are plenty and the region needs additional infrastructure including accommodation for staff at Katima Mulilo hospital and clinics and for students at the Dr Richard Nchabi Kamwi training centre,” said Kamwi whose tenure as health minister is coming to an end . Standard Bank marketing manager Thadius Maswahu reiterated the bank’s social responsibility, noting the next phase would finance accommodation for nurses. “One percent of our profits after tax are ploughed back into the community. We are told the next need is accommodation for nursing staff. That would be our second phase. With the remaining N$500 000 in the third phase we are yet to be told what to do with it, whether to boost nurses’ accommodation or whatever decision would be taken,” stated Maswahu. The health ministry gave a certificate of appreciation to Standard Bank for its support. Caption (Hospital): The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, in the company of senior Katima Mulilo hospital staff cuts the ribbon to signal the official inauguration of car ports. On the right is Standard Bank marketing manager Thadius Maswahu, and on the extreme right, Ignatius Nkunga, the special advisor to the Zambezi Governor. 2015-03-16Staff Report 2
