The Ministry of Health and Social Services on Monday launched four policies in efforts to achieve its vision of being a leading provider of quality healthcare and social services in line with international standards.
These include the National Quality Management Policy, the National Quality Management Strategic Plan, the Hospital Quality Standards and the Primary Healthcare Facilities Quality Standards.
Minister of Health Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the policies are aligned with broader ministerial strategic plans, the national development plans and Vision 2030 to ensure that the provision of quality service is a fundamental principle of the healthcare delivery system in Namibia. The overall objective is to improve the quality of health provision in both the public and private sectors by using available resources efficiently.
He said the quality of healthcare is locally defined as care that is timely, safe, respectful, responsive and improves health outcomes. The policies will therefore pursue accessibility, affordability, effectiveness, efficiency, safety, people-centeredness, timeliness, equitability and integrated healthcare services.
“The high level strategies to implement these policies will include improving quality management systems, engaging and empowering patients, families and communities, improving patient and healthcare worker safety and improving clinical practice,” said Shangula.
He added that the National Quality Management Policy provides a common framework for all public and private healthcare institutions, partners and stakeholders to plan and mobilise resources and coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate the quality of services. The policies were drawn up in consultation with key stakeholders from the ministry, development partners, relevant institutions, health service consumers and the private sector to ensure that the policy development process is highly consultative, participatory and transparent.
Speaking at the same occasion, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Namibia, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses said the WHO estimates that in 2020, about 5.7 to 8.4 million deaths were attributed to poor quality care in low and middle-income countries, which represents up to 15 per cent of overall deaths in these countries.
“Improvement in the quality of healthcare is essential for health system strengthening. Thus, defining national directions on quality is an increasing priority for many countries as they strive to systematically improve the performance of their healthcare systems,” said Sagoe-Moses.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency
