By: Annakleta Haikera

Rob Youth Foundation and Namibian Institute of Mining Technology (Nimt) have started the much-anticipated renovations at Katutura Intermediate Hospital maternity ward. 

The project will see the construction of a storeroom for equipment and medication, filing shelves, installation of 15 hand soaps and sanitizer dispensers, and refurbishing of staff workstations and kitchen area.

The project was initially supposed to commence at the beginning of July but was delayed by two months following the need to identify hospital sections that required urgent attention. 

This was coupled with the need for further consultations with the department of maintenance in the Ministry of Works and Transport – the custodian for the maintenance of government buildings.

 Nimt’s principal for job attachments Ismael Groenewald, expressed pride in being involved in the project and serving the nation, citing that there was visible progress as they had begun with the storeroom.

 “I am honoured to represent Nimt and to serve the nation,” said Groenewald before pointing out that the material delivery process and clear congestion with nurses had been somewhat a hindrance.

 Notwithstanding, Groenewald has set a target of two weeks to complete the project, all of which will be done by trainees proficient in observing safety protocols.

 “Our trainees know what safety is and abide by the safety rules. We also try to ensure that the dust we make is minimal to ensure that the patients, nurses and staff are safe. Working with the Rob Youth Foundation is an honour for me and my trainees. It’s very thoughtful of them to ask us to join hands and see what we can do for the nation.”

 One of the trainees, Ndaile Naftali, a carpenter, says he is experiencing his first ‘on the job’ attachment and believes that this project will equip him with the necessary skills to benefit him in the future.

 “My advice to the youth in the same field as mine is to focus on gaining the experience and when you get a job, focus on it, don’t just focus on the money,” he said.

 An elated Chantel Kamezhou, RYF Khomas regional manager, was over the moon as the fruits of hard work finally began to show after the project was delayed.

 “Despite the delay, the project looks like it will be completed on time. The personnel on the ground are highly efficient, well-equipped, and up to the task, and they have assured us that they should be finished in two to three weeks. 

“This project is very close to my heart. Despite facing numerous challenges, Katutura State Hospital has facilitated the births and saving of many lives, and equally, it has seen its share of departures.

She added: “We have begun pulling toward the right direction; trying to fix what needs fixing to improve hospital effectiveness and ultimately ensuring that the nation will benefit by meeting government halfway.”

 An ambitious Kamezhou said that God-willing the Foundation aims to renovate the entire hospital if funds were available and called out to state and non-state actors to play their part in securing Namibia’s future.

 “As a Foundation, we are striving and working hard. We are talking with potential donors to get this hospital in good condition to help the people. I want to urge people with the capacity to come on board. A delay in attending to someone’s health can result in loss of lives, so the little we do goes a long way in helping the hospital carry out its duties effectively.”

 Sister Nancy Kago, Sister in charge of the Maternity ward section, believes that the Rob Youth Foundation is “a life saver” and commended the Foundation for showing great initiative and foresight in tackling an extremely important and sensitive issue to the country: healthcare.

 The Rob Youth Foundation and Namibia Institute of Mining Technology expect to finalize all the works that need to be done on the project before the deadline, which is the end of October 2022.