WINDHOEK – The decline in donor health funding over the past few years has impacted on Namibia’s ability to deliver quality, effective and accessible health care services due to the sparsely distributed population, says President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
In a statement read on his behalf yesterday by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, Pohamba said the reduction in donor funding has affected the availability of qualified human resources, which results in a high disease burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
The statement was made at the opening ceremony of the two-day health public-private partnership conference that attracted health personnel from other African countries and beyond.
“In 2008, government envisaged that infrastructure delivery options that make the best use of resources for both the public and private sectors would provide the best solutions,” stated Pohamba.
Government views private sector participation through public private partnerships as critical in addressing existing infrastructure and service needs in a win-win scenario, he added.
“There is broad recognition that the private health sector can expand its contribution to improving health systems and health outcomes in the developing world,” said Pohamba.
He further said the country has well developed private sector services that could be harnessed by the government in terms of facilities, skills, technology and finances, amongst others. Furthermore, Pohamba noted the country has serious health challenges that are exacerbated by the ageing healthcare system.
“This places patient quality care and the ability to provide affordable healthcare services to the citizens at a breaking point, thus undermining the many gains we have achieved over the years,” said Pohamba.
In her speech, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Petrina Haingura, noted that a suitable public private partnership model can help address the challenges of an ageing healthcare system. “It can help improve results while meeting the objectives of each of the partners,” said Haingura.
Deliberations will include the framework for health on public-private partnerships, government investment projects for the social sector, medical services and public debt management with emphasis on public-private partnerships.
The theme of the conference is ‘Forging partnerships to save lives’.
By Alvine Kapitako