Friday, 29 March

Newmont Ghana donates COVID-19 supplies worth GHS360K to New Abirem Gov’t Hosp.

Health News
Newmont Ghana’s Akyem Mine donated GHS360,000 worth of medical supplies to the New Abirem Government Hospital to support COVID-19 relief efforts in the mine’s host communities.

Newmont Ghana’s Akyem Mine has donated GHS360,000 worth of medical supplies to the New Abirem Government Hospital to support COVID-19 relief efforts in the mine’s host communities.

The donation included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hospital equipment and consumables.

The donated items are 270 boxes of assorted gloves, 100 coveralls, 100 packets of disposable gowns, 20 gum boots, 140 boxes of surgical and N95 nose masks, 150 pieces of rebreather face masks, 30 bottles of disinfectant, one automatic external defibrillator, three nebulizers and six oxygen cylinders.

The other items are six oxygen concentrators, 20 oxygen flow meters, two laryngoscopes, 50 endotracheal tubes, 10 portable patient monitors, five portable pulse oximeters, five portable suction machines, 10 hospital beds, 10 bedside cabinets, a washing machine and dryer, five televisions and five 5 table top fridges, among other items.

The General Manager of Newmont Ghana’s Akyem Mine, Mr Joshua Mortoti, who presented the items on 7 September 2020 stated the company’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system in the mine’s host communities to sustain the fight against the viral disease.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our lives. As time goes on, it has become clear that we have a long road ahead of us with this deadly virus.

 “To overcome this pandemic, it is important to build strong healthcare systems that can support the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of the disease,” he said

He also disclosed that Newmont had established a $20 million Global Community Support Fund towards COVID-19 management efforts in all its jurisdictions around the world, adding that, the donation was sponsored from the Akyem Mine’s allocation of the fund.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the New Abirem Government Hospital, the Birim North District Health Director, Thomas Azurago acknowledged Newmont Ghana’s consistent support for the facility.

“As the major health delivery center for the District, the widespread nature of the pandemic has put a significant strain on this facility. Through Newmont’s continued support, we are better equipped to manage the pandemic and its effects on our people,” he said.

This is the second donation the Akyem Mine has presented to the New Abirem Government Hospital in recent months to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the District.

 In May, the company donated medical supplies worth GHS110,000, as well as materials for the construction of an isolation unit to the hospital.

Commending Newmont Ghana’s efforts, the Chief of Abirem Obrempong Akwasi Amo Kyeretwie I stated: “This gesture is a symbol of Newmont’s longstanding partnership with its communities. We are grateful for your support and for standing by us in these difficult times.”

Newmont Ghana’s donation complements its previous contributions to the national and District fight against COVID-19. In April, the company donated a $100,000 support package towards Ghana’s public health efforts to control the transmission of COVID-19 in the country. As part of this, Newmont Ghana donated $20,000 towards the Birim North District Assembly’s relief efforts.

The company also donated GHS56,000 worth of medical supplies to the Birim Central Municipal Health Directorate and sponsored a 12-week radio education programme to increase sensitization in its communities.

In July, the company signed a GHS3 million Memorandum of Understanding with KCCR to procure equipment and set up two testing laboratories in its host communities.

The company said that it hopes these efforts will significantly help prevent the spread and manage the impacts of COVID-19 in Ghana.

Newmont Africa is a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold business. It has two gold mining operations in Ghana: The Ahafo Mine located in the Ahafo Region and the Akyem Mine located in the Eastern Region. Commercial production at Ahafo began in 2006 and at Akyem in 2013. The Company currently employs over 5,500 employees and contractors. 

Source: Classfmonline.com