Martin Endjala
The dilapidated civil, structural and electrical components of the Katutura State Hospital children’s ward room in 8A was fully revamped and replaced to full functionality at the cost of N$470 000.
The refurbishing investment comes through a sponsorship of Vivo Energy Namibia under its Project Play.
Project Play was launched today at the handover of the rooms to the Ministry of Health and Social Service, and the company plans to run the project on an annual basis by extending it to other state hospitals in the regions that are in need of childhood development play rooms and as well as dilapidated structures.
This was committed by the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Namibia Edward Walugembe during the handover.
The MD emphasized that this is a symbol of the company’s commitment towards making a difference in the lives of the children of Namibia, as well as positively contributing to the successful recovery of the young patients at the hospital under quality conducive environment.
The Minister of Health and Social Service Kalumbi Shangula lauded Vivo Energy Namibia for responding to their plea for assistance to strengthen service delivery to its patients by mobilizing resources to generously refurbish the paediatric ward at Katutura Intermediate Hospital to provide for a children’s playroom. “On behalf of the staff, physicians and most importantly, the patients, who are impacted by your generosity, I extend my most sincere gratitude and appreciation”, Shangula said.
He added that the donation of the Children’s Playroom in Ward 8A and the refurbished room in
Ward 8A by Vivo Energy Namibia is further evidence of the strengthening bond between the Namibian private sector and the government.
He stressed that it will positively impact hundreds of young patients admitted monthly at this health
facility and their loved ones. That is truly worth celebrating, and we are looking forward to seeing the evidence of this Playroom’s positive impact on the recovery of our paediatric patients.
“As the donation we are celebrating today demonstrates, we all believe that every child ought to have access to outstanding health care, regardless of their backgrounds and circumstances. As a wise man once said it takes a village to raise a child!’’ Shangula pointed out.
While encouraging the hospital management and staff to guard this facility relentlessly and to ensure that it is used to the benefit of the children. In the same vein, the minister made a call to all other corporate entities in Namibia to follow in the footsteps of Vivo Energy Namibia in assisting the Ministry of Health and Social Services to strengthen Namibia’s health system in order to provide universal access to quality healthcare services.
Project Play came about, after the enormous pressure that has been put on the Ministry of Health to provide quality health services while many of its facilities are not up to standard nationwide, hence as stakeholder, Vivo Energy Namibia opted to initiate the project in order to play a part in ensuring that early childhood development continues while they are hospitalized as well as their education.
Walugembe said that the facility will complement the work of nurses, doctors, medical interns and administrative staff in meeting the challenging task of delivering a quality health care service for all Namibians.
“We believe in the power of continuity to improve people’s lives and positively impact institutions and society. Continuity flowing from commitments of time, funds, knowledge, and expertise of equipment”, Walugembe stated.
Also speaking at the handover was also the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther
Utjiua Muinjangue who applauded Vivo Energy Namibia for their donation and for their strategic move to provide quality health care for the children’s ward.
She said that this will push the ministry in realizing its Sustainable Development Goals, and in aligning itself with the quality health care as stipulated by WHO quality and health care framework.
The refurbishment of the ward includes a waterproofing of the entire top-floor of the building, which in the past has proved a key contributing factor in the gradual decay of the infrastructure of the entire building plus the conversion of room 3 in the ward into a fully equipped children’s playroom, completed with a play area, a television set, with additional wide range of educational toys and learning materials.
