May 2020

Relief and health support in the form of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is reaching communities in collaborative efforts.

Working in collaboration with the District Department of Health, Noupoort Wind Farm has funded Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to help keep local frontline healthcare workers at Eurekaville Clinic, Nonqo Simon Zono Clinic and the Noupoort Community Health Care Centre safe. Although the COVID-19 cases will not be treated in this Northern Cape Town but will serve as isolation and quarantine sites. Noupoort Wind Farm has deemed it necessary to assist in this manner as the Department of Health and the Department of Public Works ensures that Noupoort Health facilities are adequately prepared for the pandemic.

“As the COVID-19 infection rates start to increase in our Province, we decided to give aid to the healthcare facilities and the clinicians in Noupoort. Considering the rapid spread of this virus, the protection of the clinicians and by implication the broader community, PPE is critical,” said Noupoort Wind Farm Economic Development Manager, Sandisiwe Mntoninshi.

In addition to the funding of PPE, Noupoort Wind Farm has announced that it will fund the procurement of a ventilator or respirators, to be used post Covid-19 to treat asthma and tuberculosis patients, within the town of Noupoort.

The first consignment of PPE gear was delivered on the 11 May 2020 and it is expected the balance of the order will be delivered by the end of month as some of the items are currently in short supply in South Africa and are being imported. The responsibility of the distribution falls to the District Director of Health, Mrs Liza Mentoor, who co-ordinates the required PPE within the District.

The wind farm is also supplying food relief to vulnerable community members in the form of food parcels. Sanitary packs to facilitate good hygiene will also be distributed. In addition to other measures that include loaning an infra-red thermometer to assist with the screening. Plans to distribute immune boosting nutritional supplements, to approximately 300 people at risk during the winter period are also underway.

“Nutrition remains the key to well-being if our community members are going to be able to keep their immune systems strong. This is in addition to the necessary hygiene practices, as prescribed by the World Health Organisation and our Department of Health,” concluded Sandisiwe.