WINDHOEK – The Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Richard Kamwi says government is making every effort to ensure equal access to basic health services for all. He said he is aware that Namibians do not have the same access to the same quality of health services.
“It is a fact that children born to mothers who are less at ease financially are less likely to be immunized than those born to mothers in the highest wealth quintile, as it was revealed by the Demographic Health Survey of 2006/07,” Kamwi said during the official opening of the 7th Annual Healthcare Conference hosted by the Namibia Association of Medical Aid Funds (NAMAF) held in Windhoek yesterday under this year theme – Is Universal Health Coverage (UHC) an Answer to Health Care Delivery. “Living in Kunene or in Zambezi, or in the informal settlements in Windhoek does not give you equal access to quality care as residents of the Windhoek Central Business district,” he said.
Kamwi further said that the topic was not new nor was it a new concern, but admitted that over the years the issue of equal access to health has not received the attention it deserves. “As the need for improved access to quality health care increases around the world, evidence shows that inequalities in access are also growing,” he said. “These inequalities are not unique or specific to the health sector. You can observe the same trend in the education sector, in the housing sector or in access to sanitation and potable water. Our country is plagued with a serious social and economic differential, which we are combating to the best of our ability.
The Gini co-efficient, a measure of this inequality, has been gradually improving, but we are not there yet. This is the reason why, two years ago, we have started working with the Social Security Commission, in order to put in place a mechanism and a system to address the unequal access to quality health care in Namibia. This is also the reason why I was enthusiastic to join you at this conference, to come and share some of my thoughts and vision in this area,” he said. Kamwi further said Namibia has come a long way and the scenario of inequality is largely a legacy from the past. “But let’s make no mistake, inequalities in access to quality health care do exist in countries where there has been no apartheid, developing and developed countries alike.
Therefore, it has to be a deliberate effort from our government to ensure that through wise investments we turn the tide on what could otherwise become a factor of instability and erosion of social cohesion,” he said. The minster further said the health system requires profound and progressive reforms. “It will require sustained political commitment and leadership, but also it will require that we keep our focus on things that matter most. We should not be distracted by optional issues, but rather concentrate on the primary issues. Fairness in access to quality health care is a primary issue of utmost importance and deserves our maximum attention,” he said.
By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa