Diaman invests in mental health of Namibians
Renovations to the tune of over N$650 000 also planned
Diaman donated furniture, sanitary items, chairs, medical equipment and mattresses valued at N$130 000 to the mental health unit at the Windhoek Central Hospital.
The Diamond Manufacturing Association of Namibia (Diaman) launched its corporate social investment project at the Windhoek Central Hospital mental health unit to strengthen mental health support for Namibians.The launch, which took place on Wednesday, saw a donation of essential items valued at N$132 000.
Deputy health and social services minister Esther Muinjangue received the donation on behalf of the hospital and the ministry.
The contribution includes furniture, sanitary items, chairs, medical equipment and mattresses. The donation marks the beginning of a three-phase project to improve patient living conditions and maintain the facility’s structures.
Muinjangue expressed her appreciation for Diaman’s support and outlined the project’s future phases. “We are equally pleased to launch the second phase of the Diaman Corporate Social Investment Project,” she announced.
The second phase will involve maintenance work such as painting, window repairs and the welding of security gates, with an additional investment of N$150 000.
Furthermore, the renovation of the acute patients’ room, the reception area at ward C and the forensic ward will also be undertaken by Diaman, valued at N$500 000.
At the launch, psychiatrist and head of the mental health unit, Dr Hilen Ndjaba, emphasised the importance of destigmatising mental health care facilities and their patients. “Mental health doesn’t discriminate, and neither should we. Out of 10 people in a group, every fourth person battles mental illness.”
Ndjaba also noted that even psychiatric professionals face stigma, underscoring the urgent need for societal change.
Deputy executive director of the health ministry, Taimi Amaambo, echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the donations and their potential to combat the stigma associated with the facility, colloquially referred to as "groen dakkies". She also warned against the use of derogatory terms like "malkamp".
Established in 1903, the Windhoek Central Hospital mental health unit is the largest mental health facility in the country, with a capacity of 200 beds. The facility allocates 124 beds for civil psychiatry and 84 beds for forensic psychiatric services.
Diaman, a member-based organisation representing thirteen diamond conglomerates, focuses on the diamond cutting and polishing industry.