FirstRand Namibia through its HOPE Fund has donated 15 fever screening thermal cameras worth N.dollars 1.4 million to the Ministry of Health and Social Services in an effort to strengthen the Government’s efforts to detect early COVID-19 infections.
FirstRand Chief Executive Officer Sarel van Zyl in a media statement on Monday said the cameras will be utilized at high-risk points of migration between regions and borders, as well as crowded areas such as hospitals to assist those on the frontline in identifying potentially infected people.
He emphasized FirstRand Namibia’s commitment to taking decisive steps needed to continue to protect and develop the Namibian society, environment, and economy at large and added that the company is committed to augmenting the current Government and national initiatives toward creating a future of shared prosperity for all.
Health and Social Services Minister, Kalumbi Shangula was quoted in the statement as saying the support received will go a long way in assisting Government to achieve its objectives and to contain COVID-19 in Namibia, adding more investment in preventative efforts are needed because if the virus is not managed it will become more complicated and difficult to manage.
“The donation is a result of consultations between FirstRand Namibia and the ministry and conforms to the specifications given by the ministry,” Shangula said, thanking FirstRand for joining the long list of individuals, private and public sector role-players who have come on board to assist the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Established in April 2020, the HOPE Fund’s immediate objective is to accelerate the scaling of Namibia’s COVID-19 critical care capacity. It is particularly focused on supporting Namibia’s medical structures and resources.