09 Oct 2023

Khoemacau Copper Mine in collaboration with its business partner, Royal Gold Company have injected over P3 million towards the completion of construction works for Toteng Clinic and provision of medical equipment and furniture.

Speaking during the official hand-over of the project to Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT), the mine’s acting general manager, Mr Neo Kwakwa said the project was done through the spirit of public, private partnership (PPP) and thanked their partner, Royal Gold for raising the funds. 

Mr Kwakwa said savings from the project, he said had been used to refurbish the Toteng health post so that it could be used by DHMT.

Royal Gold Company vice president, operations, Mr Martin Raffield said their company had been involved in funding mining operations around the world including Khoemacau mine which they worked with in 2020.

The company, he said had created a good relationship with the mine and was equally interested in investing in the community as evidenced by their financial contribution towards the Toteng clinic project. 

“For the past three years, we have been working well with the mine and our aim is to do more in supplying medical equipment such as wheelchairs, blood pressure monitors, mobilizers and other essential health equipment to benefit the community,” he added.

Khoemacau chief executive officer, Mr Johan Ferreira said the project was part of the mine legacy and thanked Royal Gold for financing the project. 

The mine, he said was committed to support the community to prosper and have improved livelihoods. 

“Our efforts are in line with the government’s sustainable development goal of ensuring that all have access to quality health care services,” he said adding the facility would benefit not only Toteng community but also surrounding villages. 

Mr Ferreira also thanked all who played part in ensuring the completion of the project. DHMT coordinator, Dr Sandra Maripe-Ebutswe thanked the mine and Royal Gold and said their work was proof that PPP model worked. She said completion of the project would help them to deliver services effectively. 

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe said Toteng clinic started as a project under District Development Plan 8 (DDP 8) and was upgraded with a maternity wing.

The facility serviced a population of 1852 with an average 650 patients coming in per month. 

However. shortage of staff remained a challenge as nurses continued to leave for greener pastures. Currently the clinic operated with three instead of five nurses and one doctor, she said. 

The facility offered general outpatient services, ARV dispensing, sexual health reproductive services, child welfare and pharmacy services among others, she said.Area councillor, Mr Zahorerua Maoveka thanked the mine and Royal Gold Company for partnering with government to improve access to health care, adding government alone could not manage. Ends