Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue has reiterated the Namibian government’s commitment to achieving world-class healthcare standards.
She was speaking during the inaugural Quality Management Conference held in Windhoek yesterday.
The conference aims to advance the quality of healthcare services across Namibia, and is in alignment with the nation’s commitment to enhancing its healthcare delivery system.
Among the key issues to be discussed at the conference are improving patient satisfaction at the Opuwo Outpatient Clinic, enhancing HIV testing among pregnant women at the Windhoek Central Hospital, and addressing mental health screening challenges in the Otjiwarongo District Hospital.
The strengthening of patient retention strategies at the Nkurenkuru District Hospital, empowering HIV-positive women in cervical cancer screening at the Sibbinda Health Centre, and ensuring the effective utilisation of TB screening algorithms at Fransfontein Clinic in the Khorixas District Hospital are also high on the agenda.
“Our vision is clear: to be the leading provider of healthcare and social services that meet and exceed internationally- recognised standards,” Muinjangue stated, setting the bar high for the nation’s healthcare aspirations.
The conference is being held under the theme ‘Beyond the Blueprint: Transforming Policy into Quality Practice’.
It has brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers and experts to share best-practices and innovative ideas.
She furthermore highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“Health knows no boundaries; it is a shared responsibility,” she stated.
The National Quality Policy and Strategy (NQPS), launched in 2022, serves as a foundation for creating a culture of care, prioritising patient safety and positive health outcomes.
She then stressed the need to move beyond policy documents to tangible actions.
“The true test of the effectiveness or success of our policies lies in their implementation and the impacts that we can make,” she said, pointing to quality standards for healthcare facilities as a crucial roadmap.
Muinjangue also expressed particular interest in the progress of the 10 public healthcare facilities which are pioneering the implementation of the NQPS standards.
“These facilities were carefully chosen to serve as pioneers in our pursuit of quality improvement. Significant strides are being made to achieve accreditation for these facilities by the Council for Healthcare Services Accreditation of Southern Africa. When accredited, these facilities will stand as shining examples of what dedication and teamwork can accomplish in improving service delivery,” she continued.
She thus encouraged attendees to learn from both the successes and challenges shared by these facilities. “There is no doubt that there will be stories of successes, which will inspire us…There will also be stories of challenges and impediments that will remind us of the work that still lies ahead.”
Muinjangue also took time to extend gratitude to the conference’s organisers, development cooperation partners, and all participants. “Your active participation is a testament to your commitment to practically transform healthcare,” she affirmed.
“I am pleased to note the overwhelming response to our call for abstracts, which will be presented at this conference. With 163 submissions from both public and private healthcare facilities, we are witnessing a profound dedication to the cause of quality healthcare in Namibia,” she noted.
Echoing the importance of quality improvement in healthcare provision, Unicef Representative to Namibia, Samuel Kweku Ocran, emphasised the need to translate policies into actionable improvements.
“Quality is not just a buzzword; it is the lifeline of our healthcare system,” he stated.
Ocran continued: “We must move beyond blueprints and ensure that every Namibian, regardless of their location or circumstance, receives the highest standard of care.”