Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is taking significant steps to enhance neonatal and maternal health, recognizing their importance as top priorities in public healthcare services.
During the official opening of a special seminar, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services, unveiled plans to address the challenges in neonatal and maternal health.
The seminar, which brought together healthcare experts and stakeholders, coincided with the ten-year anniversary of the partnership between the MoHSS and NEO FOR NAMIBIA, a collaboration that has played a vital role in improving neonatal care interventions in various health facilities across Namibia.
In his address, Shangula commended the efforts of Professor Thomas Burger and his team for their tireless work in supporting neonatal care initiatives over the past decade.
He said they have not only mobilized resources but also provided critical support to neonatal and maternal care at hospitals including Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Katima Mulilo District Hospital, and Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital.
“Their contributions have extended to scoping missions at different healthcare facilities throughout the country, with Swakopmund District Hospital being a recent beneficiary,” he said.
Shangula stressed the importance of skilled assistance during pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting that timely, quality obstetric care can save the lives of both mothers and newborns.
To address this, the Ministry has crafted an “Every Newborn Action Plan” (ENAP) with specific targets to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates. Although progress has been made, achieving these targets by 2050 requires continued effort and collaboration.
The Minister called on all stakeholders to contribute their expertise and work together to improve access to quality maternal and neonatal services. He stressed that maternal, stillbirth, and neonatal deaths are of grave concern to both the MoHSS and the Government of Namibia.
He added that stakeholders should bolster their commitment to improving maternal and neonatal health, Namibia has classified maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths as notifiable medical conditions.
This means that all healthcare facilities, including those in the private sector, are required to report these events to the Ministry, allowing for the collection of valuable data for monitoring and evaluation.
The MoHSS has also established Maternal, Stillbirth, and Neonatal Death Review Committees at various levels of the healthcare system to identify and address challenges affecting national health outcomes.
According to Shangula, the goal is to use the data to track the effectiveness of interventions and implement corrective measures.
A recent report into maternal and neonatal deaths in Namibia revealed significant challenges, including a lack of adequate equipment and consumables.
Shangula stressed the need for facilities to be properly equipped with essential medical supplies to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
Additionally, the MoHSS has initiated a costed plan to strengthen the public health system, addressing issues such as infrastructure improvement, medical equipment, ambulance availability, and human resource recruitment.
The construction of a Neonatal Ward at Swakopmund District Hospital is among the initiatives funded by the Ministry.
“However, delays have been experienced, leading to the termination of the original contractor’s services and the procurement of a new contractor to expedite the completion of the project,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of adequately trained healthcare staff, including maternity and neonatal care teams, to provide quality care.
The Minister encouraged seminar participants to embrace new knowledge and learn from successful interventions to reduce neonatal and maternal deaths.
He called on stakeholders to recognize the need for a positive work attitude and ethical conduct among healthcare staff, emphasizing the importance of complying with policies and regulations to ensure quality care and service delivery.
