Petronella Sibeene
30 October 2008
Windhoek — A review of a five-year strategic plan that will provide direction and improve efficiency, equity and effectiveness in the health sector took place yesterday in the capital.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, said the review will guide the stakeholders' joint efforts in ensuring that resources are equitably distributed and applied where they are needed most.
"This workshop is intended to give you, our key stakeholders, an opportunity to critically review the plan so that the final document will be a product of a consultative process which we will be happy with," the minister said.
Kamwi emphasised that the five-year plan must be aligned with national documents such as Vision 2030, the National Development Programme III (NDP3) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Once all stakeholders approve of the plan, it will be implemented through the Balanced Scorecard Approach identified by the Office of the Prime Minister.
"The mere existence of a strategic plan is not sufficient for us to rest on our laurels but must be implemented," Kamwi said.
While the strategic plan will contain all the key and effective steps to guide stakeholders, the Government faces a problem of lack of skilled people.
"Effective service delivery demands having the right people on board, committed and experienced. It is a great challenge Government faces but with the support of our stakeholders, we will go a long way in addressing it," the minister said.
Subsequent to the finalisation of the strategic plan, the ministry will ensure that specific management plans for each institution are in place.
That, according to the minister, will ensure accountability and responsibility in the areas of implementation.
"Time for service delivery is now. It has been too long that we are seen as wanting," he said.
The minister added that the notion of "Health for All" can only be effective in Namibia if stakeholders work as one. He also encouraged development partners and other stakeholders to constructively criticise and advise the ministry where necessary.
"It is not fair that when cockroaches are dining with patients in Oshakati and Rundu, Kamwi has to account for it," the minister said.
The review coincided with the launch of the World Health Report 2008 that emphasises the need for countries to put into practice the original idea of primary health care.
Primary health care is aimed at ensuring that the rich and poor are able to access services and the conditions necessary for realising the highest level of health.
"I am pleased to report that our own health care delivery system is based on the principle of the primary health care approach since independence," the minister said.
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