WINDHOEK- In an effort to improve health care service delivery, the Ministry of Health and Social Services will host its first ever health public-private partnership conference next month. The conference will take place on December 8 and 9 under the theme “Forging partnerships to save lives”.
Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Richard Kamwi is optimistic that a suitable public-private partnership model can help address the challenges in the country’s aging health care system. He noted that the patient quality care and ability to provide affordable services to the masses are at a breaking point.
“However, the public-private partnership model cannot be seen as an end in itself without first understanding the complexities of undertaking partnerships with two very distinct entities, namely government and corporations,” Kamwi said at a media briefing on Friday.
The minister said at the occasion that the objective of the conference is to profile the framework for public-private partnership for the health sector as approved by cabinet last year.
It also aims to conduct consultations with stakeholders for identification of priority areas in health service delivery for possible private sector involvement on a smart partnership basis.
Over 300 key stakeholders are expected to attend the conference, Kamwi announced.
The key features of the conference include exploring the benefits of employing public-private partnerships in the health sector, exploring the right health care public-private partnership model for Namibia and managing health care public-private partnership projects across the SADC region.
By Alvine Kapitako