Only one glass after dinner, Geingob tells drinkers

President Hage Geingob has raised concern about Namibians’ alcohol consumption, saying they should only have one glass after dinner.

“There is a saying that goes, good health is wealth, however, there is an excessive intake and harmful use of alcohol. Nobody says don’t drink, it is how you drink, are you finishing the bottle of cognac or a glass after dinner?

“My instruction is that you take one glass of cognac or whiskey after you have eaten because alcohol is a problem. I cannot say don’t drink but just drink wisely,” he said.

Geingob said this at the N$12,6 million inauguration of the renovated Emergency Unit at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Windhoek yesterday.

The renovation was done under Project 9682, an initiative by Standard Bank Namibia and the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund.

He also proudly announced that he has officially reached the peak of consuming alcohol.

He stressed that alcoholism in Namibia should be addressed, as children are also consuming alcohol.

“Alcoholism is not a joke in Namibia, children are getting drunk and the boys are the worst. During graduation ceremonies, we see more women garduates than men, women are not depending on men anymore but if you become an alcoholic she can leave you, and sometimes they turn to suicide and killing women.

“For a government that is determined to deliver shared prosperity for all, the health and well-being of our citizens remains our greatest asset. It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to celebrate a true reflection of the Harambee spirit exemplified by a working partnership and collaboration between a government ministry, a state-owned enterprise and a private sector company.

Geingob said the renovation project is but a microcosm of the broader steps and interventions by the government to strengthen the country’s public health sector to make it more accessible and responsive to the needs of the citizens.

“Health affects all aspects of our lives. It affects the productivity of the workforce. Only a healthy nation can be a productive nation. In this regard, the primary health care approach must continue to be at the centre of our public health interventions,” Geingob said.

Speaking at the event, Standard Bank Namibia chief executive Erwin Tjipuka said the seed was planted and for two years, a team of gardeners ploughed into this project, cultivating their shared dream until it blossomed into the Emergency Unit.

“It is our responsibility to invest in the community because we understand that success of our people is interconnected to the success of corporate Namibia. This day symbolises far more than just the inauguration of the Emergency Unit, it signifies a commitment, a promise and a vision for a better, more equal future,” he said.

Tjipuka added that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental right.

According to MVA board chairperson Herman Shitaleni, Project 9682 was named after the MVA Fund emergency number.

“This collaboration signifies a harmonious alignment of objectives and purpose towards the United Nations sustainable development goals, as adopted by the Namibian government, which is directed towards good health and well-being, as well as various government policies, particularly the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, on social progression.

He said Project 9682 is a step towards further improvement in government’s provision of the best medical care, in state-of-the-art facilities, using state-of-the-art equipment, enclosed within the public health sector.

“I am calling on the community of Katutura and all of us from all over Namibia who will be making use of these facilities, either medical personnel, patients and visitors, to take care of these beautiful facilities so that they may benefit us and many generations to come after us. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say we are proud of these facilities, let us take pride in the work done while maintaining it for years to come,” Shitaleni said.