By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
In support of its efforts to carry out infrastructural development within the public health sector countrywide, the Ministry of Health and Social Services received a major shot in the arm from various stakeholders in Windhoek yesterday.
After a consultative and pledging meeting with stakeholders from Government, civil society and private sector, pledges ranging from N$100 000 to N$1.5 million were made.
For a long time, the public health sector has been heavily criticised for dilapidated, ill-maintained infrastructure, lack of medical equipment, lack of ambulances and vehicles for outreach services as well as shortage of human resources throughout the country’s main hospitals and clinics.
In his address, Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, said because of the public outcry, the ministry’s management deemed it fit to team up with other organisations and corporate entities through Public-Private Partnership to solve current problems.
“This is a promising meeting, because stakeholders have the ability to improve the pace of development in Namibia’s health care. The general public has voiced their concerns time and again… comprehensive measures are therefore needed,” said Kamwi.
The purpose of the meeting was for stakeholders to make financial and other pledges to the Health Ministry.
At yesterday’s meeting, Standard Bank of Namibia pledged N$1.5 million for the construction of a TB hospital at Oshakati. Pupkewitz Foundation committed N$100ǟ