More than just a number

Renovating the Katutura State Hospital Emergency Ward

Standard Bank Namibia, in collaboration with the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of Namibia (MVA Fund), has responded to a call for universal access to quality healthcare as a fundamental right to health for every Namibian. The two entities, with an aligned vision and shared values, identified the need for access to quality healthcare and embarked on a two-year journey to transform this vision into reality.

On 1 November, Standard Bank and the MVA Fund unveiled their groundbreaking initiative, Project 9682 – “You are more than a number”, at the Katutura Hospital in Windhoek. The number 9682 references the MVA Fund’s emergency number.

This transformative project, testament to a unique publicprivate partnership, saw Standard Bank and the MVA Fund invest N$12.6 million in renovating the Katutura State Hospital Emergency Unit. The result is a facelift and a complete overhaul, providing a modern ambience complemented by new furniture and state-of-the-art medical equipment. This particular emergency care unit is the busiest in the country, attending to up to 200 patients daily. It signifies more than just a mission; it embodies a promise and a pledge to the people of Namibia that their well-being matters, and their health is a fundamental right, not a privilege.

The head of state, Dr Hage Geingob, and the minister of health, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, were amongst other notable public figures who attended the event. The president commended the collaborative effort of Standard Bank and the MVA Fund, urging other corporate entities to follow their lead.

Standard Bank Namibia’s commitment is not limited to banking only. “At Standard Bank, we believe that our purpose goes far beyond banking. Namibia is our home, we drive her growth,” said Standard Bank chief executive, Erwin Tjipuka. This echoes a dedication to empowering Namibians in the spirit of Harambee, envisioning a Namibia characterised by equality and access to quality healthcare for all. The MVA Fund, as a responsible corporate citizen, places the wellbeing of stakeholders and communities at the forefront, driven by a vision to provide peace of mind to crash victims. Their commitment is evident in their ethos of lending a helping hand.

Tjipuka went on to say: “We exist not only to foster our own success but to empower the growth of the Namibian people. It is our responsibility to invest in the community, because we understand that the success of our people is interconnected to the success of corporate Namibia. We are therefore committed to cultivating a country that stands for equality and access, where every human being, irrespective of their background and socio-economic status, is entitled to quality healthcare.”

At Standard Bank, we believe that our purpose goes far beyond banking. Namibia is our home, we drive her growth.

The inauguration of this healthcare facility marks not just an event but the dawn of a new era – a commitment to a better, more egalitarian future. It symbolises the acknowledgement of quality healthcare as a fundamental right, blurring the lines between state and private facilities. It is a significant stride toward realising this right for every member of the community.

At the core of this project lies the belief that every individual is more than just a number – they are integral to a unique community with boundless potential. It is a call for unity, a collective effort to bring about lasting change. The renovated emergency unit stands as a testament to the indispensable role of healthcare professionals, providing them with a facility that matches their dedication. “I want to emphasise that we are not just opening a healthcare facility today; we are opening the doors to hope, to healing, and to a community that stands united in the pursuit of an equal and compassionate society. We are in this together, and together we will grow and prosper,” Tjipuka said.