There is an urgent need to expand services so that all Namibians can access the services they require at all Government facilities, Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula has said.

The minister made these remarks at the start of the 2023 management development forum, which is taking place in the capital from 06 to 08 March.

Shangula said it is critical that the ministry ensures that the infrastructure, facilities and equipment are well-maintained, mission-ready and in a good state of repair at all times, ready to be harnessed to effectively attend to the needs of all Namibians in every corner of the country.

“Clinical supplies and medications must be made available as needed, according to the guidelines of cost-effective procurement and prudent use at all stations,” he said.

Shangula highlighted some of the key strategic priorities to serve as a foundation in charting the ministry’s roadmap towards ensuring effective and efficient service delivery to the public, as well as general improved health outcomes for 2023.

The ministry has extended the current Ministerial Five-Year Strategic Plan (2017/2018-2021/2022), to which end he has directed the office of the executive director to ensure that this process is completed duly and submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister for further analysis and endorsement.

In a similar vein, Shangula stressed the significance of guaranteeing the Performance Management System’s full implementation within the ministry.

“I have taken note of the steady progress made in building capacity for PMS implementation, through the technical assistance from the Directorate of Policy and Planning, National Health Training Centre, and the Directorate of Special Programmes,” he mentioned.

The minister added that it should be top priority to complete the National Health Policy Framework, Health in-All-Policies, and the Policy Framework on Universal Health Coverage.

According to the minister, these frameworks are essential tools for ensuring that everyone has access to the healthcare they require without facing financial hardship and that everyone bears responsibility for promoting health.

He further noted that the 5th Edition of the Namibia Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) is yet to be conducted, adding that the demographic and health surveys are critical to providing evidence-based data and statistics to assist policymakers and programme managers in designing and evaluating programmes and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population.

(NAMPA)

Source: The Namibian Press Agency