German medical supply donation to land today

Erwin Leuschner SWAKOPMUNDToday at 13h00, the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225, will arrive in Namibia. On board is a consignment – the first of three – of medical supplies donated by Germany, which will land at Hosea Kutako International Airport.Numerous high-ranking politicians will be present when the Antonov AN-225 touches down, including Germany's ambassador to Namibia, Herbert Beck, and European Union (EU) ambassador Sinikka Antila.The international relations ministry announced yesterday that deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has in the past called on all Namibian diplomatic missions abroad to “mobilise support” in view of the current Covid-19 situation in Namibia.“Namibia has submitted an official request for support to the EU civil protection mechanism through the embassy in Belgium," the ministry said.The mechanism coordinates disaster responses and humanitarian aid operations, for which the EU member states are pooling together. The ministry’s statement did not, however, include any details on the supplies expected today.The world's largest aircraft was loaded with the supplies in Leipzig, Germany, on Monday and took off for Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday.Sigh of reliefMeanwhile, the first shipment of 21 tons of oxygen - donated by the Capricorn Group - arrived at Afrox in Windhoek yesterday. According to Capricorn, three such consignments worth N$ 1.05 million have been donated. Several private entities in Namibia have over the past weeks donated oxygen to facilities across the country as the number of patients in hospitals have risen significantly. However, more oxygen is needed, especially in the Erongo Region.Governor Neville Andre once again appealed to the private sector for help. “The rise in new infections is putting enormous pressure on our oxygen supply,” he said yesterday.According to him, most of the health facilities in the region, with the exception of Walvis Bay, required oxygen plants. The current oxygen supply by means of gas cylinders is neither sufficient nor sustainable.“A truck has to travel to Windhoek every day to refill the empty oxygen bottles. It's very costly,” he said. He also mentioned a shortage of protective clothing for hospital staff in his region, adding that here, too, help from the private sector is required.Small victoriesAccording to Anna Jonas, regional health director for Erongo, the regional hospitals are no longer overcrowded with Covid-19 patients - only the Swakopmund State Hospital is “still full”, but the situation is “manageable”.“We require another morgue in the Omaruru district,” she said. Jonas, however, assured the public that despite the shortage of vaccines, first and second doses would continue to be administered in the region.Further, Erongo regional police commander, Commissioner Andreas Nelumbu, said he is disappointed in the high number of travel permits currently being issued - more than 1 000 since the start of the travel ban. “When considering this number, the purpose of a travel ban has been defeated,” he said, adding: “At the moment, issuing travel permits has become the main task of the police”. He called on citizens to refrain from travelling.

German medical supply donation to land today

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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German medical supply donation to land today

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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