As the Northern Cape prepares itself for the spread of Covid-19, it has become apparent that communities need the collective efforts of public and private institutions to prevent and limit the impact of the pandemic.
Working to support the Northern Cape Department of Health’s Namakwa District Office and the Department of Social Development, the Loeriesfontein Wind Farm and Khobab Wind Farm have directed economic development funding to the most essential services. These include, among others, district health services and community food relief.
According to Vanessa Fredericks, economic development manager for the Loeriesfontein Wind Farm and Khobab Wind Farm, it has been important to prioritise the most vulnerable community members.
“We also identified the health services that will help to protect both our community members and the greater Hantam municipal area, including the local clinic, hospitals and the district’s quarantine facility that have been earmarked to treat Covid-19 patients.”
With the help of the Department of Social Development, food parcels have been distributed to the most vulnerable members of the Loeriesfontein community.
The Loeriesfontein PHC Clinic and the Loeriesfontein Community Health Centre, which is a quarantine site for those who need to self-isolate and cannot do so at home, received much-needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The Abraham Esau Hospital in Calvinia, which is a designated institution to treat Covid-19 patients in the Hantam municipal area, was another beneficiary.
“We received a list of required medical PPE from the Namakwa District Office and are pleased to confirm that delivery is in progress,” says Fredericks.
Surgical and respiratory masks, disposable gowns, aprons, coveralls, gloves, face shields, handgun thermometers, boot covers, gumboots, electrostatic disinfectant spray guns and hand sanitisers were among the donated items.
The wind farms also responded to a request to provide an infrared thermometer, PPE gear and hand sanitisers to assist with screening at roadblocks and community screening interventions.
These interventions are held in collaboration with the Northern Cape Department of Health.
The wind farms also funded a geyser at the Loeriesfontein CHC, as requested by the Hantam Municipality.
