Chelva Wells 

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula has seemingly taken a dig at naysayers for casting aspersion over the construction of the Windhoek District Hospital. 

Since Namibia’s independence, the government has made significant investments in primary health care, bringing over 76% of the population within a 10-kilometre radius of health facilities with skilled personnel.

This was said by Shangula on Monday during the opening of the National Ministerial Health and Social Services Conference.
He said the ministry has begun developing the Windhoek District Hospital.

 Last week, bidding documents for bulk sewer reticulation, electricity supply and access roads were approved.

“As I have stated before, this project is being implemented on an expedited basis. All I can assure you is that despite what naysayers may holler, this project is proceeding. We have a budget for it,” he said.

He said the ministry is now soliciting bids for companies to complete the work, and that the project is being implemented on an expedited timeline, with the necessary funds allocated in the relevant medium-term expenditure frameworks.

Shangula noted that over the past decade, the government has prioritised training health personnel, including nurses, doctors and support staff to ensure adequate staffing at public health facilities. 

More than 85% of the Namibian population relies on the State-funded health sector, where services are provided for a nominal fee. 

Even patients unable to pay are not denied care.

“In the 2023/2024 financial year, the ministry undertook several projects to construct, upgrade and renovate health facilities. 

The Namibian government has consistently allocated over 15% of the national budget to health in line with the Abuja Declaration, demonstrating a commitment to health financing and policy,” he said.

He also noted that the conference on healthcare delivery highlights efforts to nurture future healthcare professionals through internship programmes, aimed at bridging academic learning with practical experience.

The minister further called on health facilities to ensure that interns are treated appropriately, following reports of mistreatment by senior staff.

“I am concerned that interns may have been subjected to less than ideal and humane treatment at the hands of some of the senior staff. We have received reports on this matter, and I wish to call upon all health professionals training interns to foster an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and growth. Anything less is not acceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said in closing.
-Nampa