By Roland Routh
WINDHOEK – A female patient has lodged a complaint of tribalism with the Keetmanshoop State Hospital after a medical rehabilitation officer allegedly made derogatory remarks.
KM Gawachab alleges Rauna Nghipona the medical officer made tribally insentive remarks against Namas.
Gawachab says she went to Keetmanshoop hospital on December 11 for physiotherapy due to an injury to her arm.
After waiting for about five hours Nghipona arrived, but instead of treating patients she engaged in office gossip while many patients waited for her to attend to them.
When Gawachab complained about pain and also drew the attention of Nghipona to an elderly man with a severe back injury, she allegedly said, “Typical of Namas.”
In the complaint lodged with the hospital the Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Richard Kamwi was cc’d in the email that was also forwarded to New Era.
Kamwi who is on leave at his farm said no one can be refused treatment at any public health facility.
Gawachab further stated that when she enquired about medical attention, Nghipona refused to treat her and she had to endure severe pain for the entire weekend.
She also complained she suffered humiliation through the tribal slur uttered by the unrepentant medical officer.
“This letter serves to inform your offices that the patient cited in paragraph feels aggrieved by the comments advanced and suffered non-patrimonial damages, as she was forced to operate in pain due to the denial of medical health care,” read a section of the complaint.
She stated that public health care facilities are in place to provide the public with free, accessible medical care and that there are numerous complaints about a lack of staff, but that when staff are available it is their duty to attend to all patients.
According to Gawachab, Namibia is a democratic State that prohibits racial or ethnic profiling and discrimination and the expectancy exists that public servants should treat the public with “due diligence and professionalism”.
“How medical staff can deny public health care to patients is unacceptable and we herewith request a formal apology for the patient violated and that this type of work ethic be addressed within your facilities,” she wrote.
Gawachab stressed public health care is embraced under the auspices of the right to life as enshrined the Constitution.
She said to deny medical attention to patients in pain ultimately infringes on their right to life.
When New Era contacted the Acting Chief Medical Officer Annatjie Louw, she claimed she was unaware of the incident, though she promised to investigate the allegations for action.