Windhoek
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS) will host the annual medical doctors and dentists’ forum.
The two-day conference is set for August 18 – 20 at Bennies Entertainment Park in Ongwediva in Oshana Region.
Expected to attract between 70 to 90 doctors from across the country the conference will be held under the theme “Improving Quality through Partnership with Patients.”
It will provide a platform and opportunities for medical doctors and dentists to share experiences and voice their concerns.
“The forum will also assist the ministry to build capacity for quality management among medical doctors and dentists many of whom provide leadership at various levels of the ministry,” said Ester Paulus the spokesperson of the health ministry.
She said that after the conference doctors will be given the opportunity to make recommendations that may strengthen or improve their roles, and welfare, as well as improve the quality of health care service delivery in public health facilities.
Paulus said during last year’s forum which was held in the capital, Khomas Region participants made suggestions some of which were implemented and some still under consideration.
“The ministry has started with the training and mentoring of doctors and nurses in critical departments such as obstetrics/gynaecology, surgery, orthopaedics and maxillofacial surgery as suggested by participants during last year’s conference,” she said.
Paulus says the aim of this training and mentoring is to reduce the number of referrals from district hospitals to the intermediate and referral hospitals.
Paulus further stated that refresher courses in critical medical areas as suggested by the forum were also implemented. “We want to do things in a way that won’t disrupt any of the current operations,” she explained.
“We are also putting final touches on other recommendations made at the conference and please take note that we are also taking a cautionary approach so that we do not disrupt any services,” she added.
Paulus says other suggestions such as the collaboration with the school of medicine were also under discussion.
Paulus said she was advised to initiate discussions with private doctors especially specialists, so that they can help in the public health facilities when there is a need and, according to her, the final touches are being done.
She said the health ministry has also set up a task force to draft guidelines on incentives for doctors working in rural settings to ensure retention of these cadres.
Paulus said proper feedback will be given at the conference in two weeks’ time.