Facilities built by Chinese enterprise aid Namibia in COVID-19 fight

CGTN

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Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming (L) and Namibia's Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula pose for a photo during a handover ceremony in Windhoek, Namibia, April 23, 2020. /Xinhua

Facilities built by a Chinese enterprise in Namibia have aided the country in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Manufacturing company Nami Prefabricated Housing CC has built several COVID-19 prefabricated isolation facilities across the country, including four that were completed by July this year.

Gu Di, a manager at the company, said on Friday that the aim was to ensure that Namibia is equipped with appropriate infrastructure for the fight the pandemic.

"We stand together with Namibia to overcome this virus through the provision of isolation facilities that are low cost, easy and fast to disassemble and assemble, environmental-friendly, and high strength," he said.

The prefabricated isolation units have helped the local public health sector in the fight against COVID-19, according to Ben Nangombe, executive director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Access to facilities has also boosted confidence in the battle against COVID-19, as Namibia records increased recoveries. The country has recorded 13,143 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 11,578 recoveries and 133 deaths.

The prefabricated facilities with a lifespan of a minimum of 20 years could be used to fight other infectious diseases.

"They are not limited to COVID-19 pandemic only. It is a long-term investment infrastructure for the ministry to manage all infectious diseases that arise from time to time," Nangombe said.

Moreover, the undertaking also created opportunities for locals.

Nami Prefabricated Housing, established in 2011 in Namibia, provided more than 150 direct jobs. Furthermore, the company trained about 50 technical personnel as well as helped staff set up their five companies.

"We have committed to the technical training of our local workers so as to create more jobs," Gu said.

Other projects completed by the company in Namibia include the construction of clinics in remote areas, operating rooms, laboratories, offices, courtrooms, classrooms, dormitories, and toilets.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency