B2Gold sponsors new Covid vaccination centre

Enzo Amuele
B2Gold Namibia handed over a vaccination centre to the Otavi town council on 17 May 2022.

The centre will provide Covid-related services around Otavi and to anyone driving through who needs to get a rapid test or to get vaccinated.

According to the regional director of health for the Otjozondjupa region, Gebhard Timotheus, the old Covid-19 centre was just a garage which was meant for the ambulance.

"Covid-19 matters were attended to in a garage, there was no privacy and no confidentiality at all," he said.

Timotheus added that this inauguration came at the right time as cases were rising, and he urged the public to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations.

"We couldn't be more thankful for this great contribution from B2Gold Namibia to help fight the pandemic," he said.

Erik Barnard, general manager at B2Gold, said when Covid-19 was announced not many believed that it was real.

"When a vaccine was developed, vaccine centres had to be established and we wanted to assist the Otavi town council to build one closer to people," he said.

He added that they've also set up a vaccination centre at the mine and a lot of employees have been vaccinated because the facility is there and is convenient.

Isac Hoaeb, mayor of Otavi, on behalf of the governor of Otjozondjupa region, James Uerika, thanked B2Gold Namibia for their steadfast and continuous support in fighting the pandemic.