This letter is a response to an article that appeared in a local weekly tabloid, making allegations against Psychologist Mr Ockie Jooste in which the following was indicated:
“Most of the victims claim that they did not report their cases to the Council for Psychologists and Social Workers, because Jooste was an interim member of the Council – a body supposed to protect patients who have been victimised by their doctors.”
The Social Work and Psychology Council of Namibia is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, the Social Work and Psychology Act, 2004 (Act No. 6 of 2004) with powers amongst others, to conduct an inquiry into a complaint, charge or allegations of unprofessional conduct against any person registered with the Council.
Given the above stated powers in the law, it is the right of the alleged victims to report their cases to the Social Work and Psychology Council for investigation.
The Council would like to reassure the public that being a member of the Council does not render immunity to any health professional and in no way will the accused person(s) be involved in the investigation process of complaint launched against him/her.
Council therefore urges members of the public who wish to lodge a complaint against a health care practitioner to contact the Health Professions Councils of Namibia at:
Tel: (061) 245586
Fax: (061) 271891
Or write to:
The Registrar
Health Professions Councils of Namibia
P/Bag 13387
Windhoek
Namibia
Sincerely,
Ena Barlow
REGISTRAR