WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba has called on doctors and dentists to implement high quality care standards and uphold medical ethics.
In his keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, at the opening of the fourth medical doctors and dentists annual forum, Pohamba urged medical practitioners to uphold ethical practices.
“You are the leaders and, therefore, you should provide guidance and direction while at the same time take into consideration the views of your co-workers and colleagues,” the President said.
This year the three-day conference, which started at a local hotel on Tuesday, has the theme “Improve Quality, Reduce Costs, and Save Lives”.
The President said government is cognisant of the challenges that may limit the ability of doctors and dentists to provide the best service to patients.
“We will continue identifying the gaps in the provision of quality care to our citizens and find ways to close such gaps to ensure more effective health care service delivery in our country,” said Pohamba.
Pohamba said doctors and dentists are part of the team that forms the core of health care service delivery – therefore it is their role as healthcare providers to encourage and empower all Namibians to actively participate in activities which promote good health and prevent ill health at the individual, family and community levels.
“It is, therefore, my hope that through this forum you will be able to openly discuss the challenges you are currently facing as health care providers, share best practices and strengthen communication channels amongst yourself and government,” he said, adding that as government, they are committed to supporting efforts in ensuring that Namibians receive health care services they deserve.
On his part, Kamwi said the health ministry through a restructuring process is currently strengthening the structural element necessary for a fictional health system and national quality management system programme.
The ministry recommended ensuring capacity building activities; coaching, mentoring and training of health care providers at all levels; and focussing on building knowledge and skills for implementation of sustainable quality improvement activities.
Other recommendations were that ministry managers at all levels routinely work to secure financial resources from within the health sectors for staff to participate in quality improvement learning opportunities, seminars and professional conferences and to further work closely with training centres and other institutions that conduct training in health care.
By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa