FirstRand Namibia HOPE Fund hands over fever screening thermal cameras

Press Release

12 June 2020

FirstRand Namibia HOPE Fund hands over fever screening thermal cameras

FirstRand Namibia HOPE (Health Optimisation in a Pandemic Emergency) Fund, today donated 15 fever screening thermal cameras to the value of N$1,4 million to the Ministry of Health and Social Services. This will help strengthen the government’s early protective measures for the detection of Covid-19 infections.

These cameras will be utilised at high-risk points of migration between regions and borders, as well as crowded areas such as hospitals to assist those on the frontline in identifying potential COVID-19 cases

In his address, Sarel van Zyl emphasized FirstRand Namibia’s commitment of “taking decisive steps needed to continue to protect and develop the Namibian society, environment and economy at large.”

Van Zyl added that FirstRand Namibia was supportive of the current government and national initiatives towards creating a future of shared prosperity for all. “We are harnessing our core capabilities, resources and solutions to ultimately enable a good business for a better world.

Established in April 2020, the HOPE Fund’s immediate objective is to accelerate the scaling of Namibia’s COVID-19 critical care capacity and is particularly focused on supporting the medical structures and resources of the country. FirstRand Namibia allocated an anchor investment of N$10 million to HOPE, funded by the banking arms of the group, FNB Namibia and RMB.

The HOPE Fund has since widened the scope of assistance through RMB and in partnership with Bokomo Namibia on the Bag of Hope Food Drive on the FNB Happiness Store which was launched in May and has thus far collected 2000 bags of mielie meal, ready for distribution.

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For more media related information, please contact Elzita Beukes, Group Communications Manager at FirstRand Namibia Limited on telephone: (+264 61) 299 2125, or Elzita.Beukes@fnbnamibia.com.na.