The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust (OOCT) on Wednesday donated 10 medical beds with mattresses to the Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs in the Vice-Presidency Office, Alexia Manombe-Ncube.
The donation is a direct result of a Technical Cooperation Agreement between Support UIm e.V., a German-based non-profit organisation, OOCT and MoHSS.
According to OOCT, Support UIm e.V. provided the beds for free and the agreement makes provision for medical equipment and the exchange of medical professionals to complement the existing facilities and services in the country.
Speaking at the event, MoHSS Deputy Minister, Juliet Kavetuna noted that the medical beds, valued at N.dollars 90 000, will be helpful to people who have been discharged, especially those with spinal injuries.
“When they return to their houses, they find themselves in double beds that do not have any health compliance. So, these medical beds will assist them not to fall back on the ministry in terms of back or neck injuries resulting from the ordinary beds they sleep on which is not conducive for their condition,” said Kavetuna.
She further explained that disability does not have to keep people in the hospital, as they can still continue to engage in economic activities such as running businesses.
On her part, Manombe-Ncube stressed that the medical beds will be given to people with disabilities in the community on a needs basis.
“Our office has been inundated with requests from communities for beds and wheelchairs. We appreciate the donation from Ohorongo Cement for giving us this equipment,” said Manombe-Ncube.