Access to emergency medical care in remote parts of Erongo has received a boost with the donation of a one million dollar fully equipped off-road ambulance to Omaruru District Hospital courtesy of Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine.
 
Officiating at the event, the Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Penda Ithindi, said this contribution will help save lives in hard-to-reach areas while reinforcing government efforts to strengthen emergency management response systems (EMRS).
 
The ambulance will serve remote areas such as Okongue, Uis, Okombahe, and Omatjete, where long distances and gravel roads often delay medical response.
 
Ithindi added that the recent staff structure changes have added new positions for emergency care technicians and practitioners at Omaruru Hospital.
 
His speech was read by the Health Director, Anna Jonas.
 
“As a Ministry, we thank stakeholders such as Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine that are and continue to support the EMRS, especially with an off-road emergency vehicle, which reduces the burden of having to transport patients in non-emergency vehicles due to the terrain. Therefore, allow me to pay tribute to our sponsor, who continues to ensure that EMRS runs smoothly, especially across this region. Beefing up our fleet in this area is a support in the right direction and is highly commendable.”
 

In improving emergency care, the ministry urged inhabitants to take advantage of the ongoing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which seeks to protect girls aged 9 to 14 against cervical cancer.
 
“Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide and in Namibia. Cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer amongst women after breast cancer. However, cervical cancer is a preventable disease, with HPV vaccination serving as the primary prevention method, while screening and treatment of precancerous lesions constitute secondary prevention.”
 
Erongo Governor Natalia Goagoses said the donation brings hope and improves access to quality healthcare for rural communities.
 
“It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the willingness to plough back to the community where the mineral resources are extracted from.We cannot thank you enough, and we can only hope and trust that others will emulate this great example. Health is a shared responsibility, and augmenting the Government's effort will ensure that access to quality health care can become a reality in our lifetime.”
 
This marks the second ambulance donated to Omaruru and the fourth to the region in over a year.