Windhoek: Vice President Lucia Witbooi has called for a fairer, faster and more transparent system for assessing persons with disabilities in Namibia. Witbooi made the call during the launch of the Namibian Guideline for the Medical Assessment of Functionality and Degree of Disability and the Digital Programme for Medical Assessment of Persons with Disabilities by the Ministry of Health in Windhoek on Friday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Witbooi described the launch as a significant milestone in the government's commitment to upholding the dignity, rights, well-being and social protection of persons with disabilities. She emphasized that the new instruments are aimed at ensuring that disability assessments across Namibia are conducted fairly, accurately, consistently, transparently, efficiently and compassionately.
Witbooi articulated that this development represents an important step towards ensuring that disability assessments are conducted with fairness, accuracy, consistency, transparency, efficiency and compassion, allowing every individual to receive the recognition, support and opportunities to which they are entitled. She advocated that disability inclusion should be viewed as a national development priority rather than just a social responsibility.
She elaborated that the new guideline transcends being a mere technical document, describing it as a practical instrument aimed at promoting consistency, strengthening accountability and improving the quality of disability assessments. The guideline is also designed to ensure that assessments are conducted professionally and objectively, respecting the dignity of individuals.
Witbooi highlighted that the accompanying Digital Programme for Medical Assessment of Persons with Disabilities is expected to further transform the assessment process. She noted that digitalisation should not simply replace paper-based systems with computers, but should lead to improved, faster and more accountable service delivery. The move to a digital platform could reduce delays, strengthen record-keeping, minimise duplication, improve information management and support evidence-based decision-making.
Furthermore, Witbooi mentioned that the system has the potential to bridge the service delivery gap between urban and rural communities, ensuring that no Namibian is disadvantaged due to geographical distance, cumbersome paperwork or unnecessary administrative barriers. She emphasized that the system should remain accessible, secure, confidential and user-friendly, while safeguarding personal information and upholding professional and ethical medical standards.