Gerhard De Koe: Heart attack inspires life-saving mission
A personal battle with heart disease inspired Gerhard De Koe to establish the Namibia Heart Foundation (NHF), an organisation working to improve cardiovascular health awareness, prevention and support for affected Namibians in Windhoek.
Established in March 2022 as a Section 21 non-profit and welfare organisation, NHF was founded following De Koe's own experience with a heart attack and open-heart surgery in 2008.
“Having experienced the impact of cardiovascular disease first-hand, I understood how important awareness, prevention and support are for people affected by these conditions,” De Koe told Careers.
The foundation supports Namibians affected by heart attacks and strokes through trauma support, public education, awareness campaigns and prevention programmes. It also collaborates with healthcare institutions and educational organisations to promote healthier communities.
One notable initiative was its partnership with the University of Namibia during the Unam Wellness Day on 10 September, which attracted more than 100 students participating in activities promoting heart health, screening and physical wellness.
Young people, lasting impact
Beyond healthcare awareness, NHF also recognises the importance of involving young people in community development. Although it currently relies on volunteers, the organisation hopes to introduce structured mentorship and career guidance opportunities as it grows.
“Through initiatives of this nature, we want young people to connect what they learn academically with the practical needs and challenges within our communities,” De Koe explained.
He added that volunteering could help young Namibians develop communication, teamwork, leadership and organisational skills while gaining exposure to community healthcare.
De Koe's leadership experience is rooted in entrepreneurship, organisational development, stakeholder engagement and fundraising. Establishing NHF has strengthened his commitment to building a sustainable organisation capable of making a lasting difference.
“Our success should not only be measured by the number of people we screen or reach, but also by the people we inspire, the knowledge we share and the future community leaders we help develop,” he said.
A wider reach
Limited and unpredictable funding, human resources, medical equipment and transport remain significant challenges.
The foundation welcomes financial contributions, medical equipment donations, professional expertise, programme sponsorships and long-term strategic partnerships.
Looking ahead, NHF aims to establish a Heart Health Centre offering awareness, education, screening, counselling and rehabilitation partnerships. It also plans to expand its outreach beyond Windhoek, particularly into rural and underserved communities.
“My ultimate goal is to leave a lasting legacy by helping build an organisation that continues to educate, empower and save lives long into the future,” De Koe said.
He encourages young Namibians interested in community development to recognise that they do not need to wait until they become established professionals to make a difference.
