Maria David
THE Association of Heat, Ventilation, and Cooling of Namibia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation, held its first-ever World Refrigeration Day in the north at Ongwediva on Wednesday.
The day is commemorated every year on the 26th of June and is being held under the theme “Temperature Matters.”
Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, said the day is commemorated to raise awareness about the importance of refrigeration technologies in everyday life and to raise the profile of the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat-pump sector.
Iipumbu indicated that the Association of Heat, Ventilation, and Cooling of Namibia, under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Refrigeration and Air Condition (RAC) Association (SADC RAC) together with the National Ozone Unit, has the mandate to ensure that global days in the refrigeration sector are commemorated.
“Refrigeration and air conditioning are vital in daily life for several reasons: They preserve perishable foods and medicines by maintaining specific temperatures. Air conditioning creates comfortable indoor environments, crucial in extreme climates for productivity,” she said.
She stressed that these technologies drive advancements in agriculture, transportation, and scientific research. Moreover, modern systems are designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, reducing electricity use and environmental impact.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shali Iithete, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Joseph Namila of the Millia Medical Clinic, indicated that in healthcare, refrigeration is not just a convenience—it is a necessity.
Namila said that from the storage of vaccines to the preservation of blood and organ donations, refrigeration technologies are integral to modern medical practices.
“The importance of refrigeration in healthcare cannot be overstated. It underpins the effectiveness of vaccines, the safety of blood transfusions, the success of organ transplants, the reliability of medications, the progress of medical research, the safety of surgical procedures, the dignity of mortuary services, and the care of our most vulnerable patients,” he said.
He added that as they celebrate World Refrigeration Day, they should acknowledge and appreciate the technological advancements that make it possible for them to deliver high-quality healthcare to patients around the world.
