ReconAfrica millions to boost Covid vaccinations in Kavango
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
Part of the N$15 million donated by ReconAfrica to government in June has been directed to Covid-19 vaccination programmes in the two Kavango regions, which thus far have the lowest vaccine uptake in the country.
The health ministry decided that N$7.5 million of the N$15 million will go towards the vaccination campaigns, with each region receiving about N$3.5 million.
Canadian company Recon is currently engaged in oil exploration in Kavango East.
At the official launch of the programme in Rundu, it was revealed that the vaccination uptake for Kavango East stands at around 12%.
Kavango East health director Timea Ngwira said of the N$3 496 980 her region received, N$3 226 980 will be used for the vaccination campaign while N$270 000 is earmarked for temporary staff.
She said fourth-year University of Namibia nursing students have been roped in to assist with the programme.
With poor roads into the inlands, part of the funds will be used to hire private vehicles at a cost of N$1 500 a day.
Target the elderly
Ngwira said the vaccination programme will target the elderly.
“We will be at the various points where the elderly receive their monthly grants and hopefully vaccinate as many people as we can,” she said.
She added that the ministry’s vaccination teams will also be present at events where large crowds will be gathered.
Recon spokesperson Ndapewoshali Shapwanale said they are pleased to have collaborated with the health ministry on the important campaign in the two regions, especially because it focuses on the hard-to-reach communities.
“Many cannot make it to the different health facilities; hence we are making sure the vaccination makes it to the people - no matter how hard to reach or remote the communities may be,” she said.
“Getting as many Namibians as possible vaccinated is imperative and we believe getting the vaccine to the hard-to-reach and remote communities will assist greatly in getting as many of our people vaccinated as possible.”
Accountability
Both Recon and the health ministry have assured that the monies will be used for the intended purpose.
“In terms of accountability, the company trained the ministry officials on how to give feedback on human resources and logistics in order for us to track each and every single cent to be spent on this exercise,” Shapwanale said.
[email protected]
RUNDU
Part of the N$15 million donated by ReconAfrica to government in June has been directed to Covid-19 vaccination programmes in the two Kavango regions, which thus far have the lowest vaccine uptake in the country.
The health ministry decided that N$7.5 million of the N$15 million will go towards the vaccination campaigns, with each region receiving about N$3.5 million.
Canadian company Recon is currently engaged in oil exploration in Kavango East.
At the official launch of the programme in Rundu, it was revealed that the vaccination uptake for Kavango East stands at around 12%.
Kavango East health director Timea Ngwira said of the N$3 496 980 her region received, N$3 226 980 will be used for the vaccination campaign while N$270 000 is earmarked for temporary staff.
She said fourth-year University of Namibia nursing students have been roped in to assist with the programme.
With poor roads into the inlands, part of the funds will be used to hire private vehicles at a cost of N$1 500 a day.
Target the elderly
Ngwira said the vaccination programme will target the elderly.
“We will be at the various points where the elderly receive their monthly grants and hopefully vaccinate as many people as we can,” she said.
She added that the ministry’s vaccination teams will also be present at events where large crowds will be gathered.
Recon spokesperson Ndapewoshali Shapwanale said they are pleased to have collaborated with the health ministry on the important campaign in the two regions, especially because it focuses on the hard-to-reach communities.
“Many cannot make it to the different health facilities; hence we are making sure the vaccination makes it to the people - no matter how hard to reach or remote the communities may be,” she said.
“Getting as many Namibians as possible vaccinated is imperative and we believe getting the vaccine to the hard-to-reach and remote communities will assist greatly in getting as many of our people vaccinated as possible.”
Accountability
Both Recon and the health ministry have assured that the monies will be used for the intended purpose.
“In terms of accountability, the company trained the ministry officials on how to give feedback on human resources and logistics in order for us to track each and every single cent to be spent on this exercise,” Shapwanale said.
[email protected]
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