Niël Terblanché
In a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare delivery, the Ministry of Health and Social Services convened the first-ever healthcare Quality Management Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday.
The conference, which is presented under the “Beyond the Blueprint: Transforming Policy into Quality Practice” is a substantial step in the country’s effort to align healthcare services with internationally recognised standards.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, set the tone for the conference by stressing the ministry’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement in healthcare.
“Our vision is clear – to be the leading provider of healthcare and social services that meet and exceed internationally recognized standards,” he said.
The minister highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, stressing that health is a shared responsibility that transcends boundaries.
“The vital role of the National Quality Policy and Strategy (NQPS), launched in September 2022, as the foundation for building a culture of care that prioritizes patient safety, treatment efficacy, and comprehensive care,” he said.
Shangula also stressed the significance of implementing Quality Standards for Healthcare Facilities, a roadmap designed to ensure that policies are translated into tangible, high-quality healthcare practices.
The conference also provided a platform for reflecting on Namibia’s progress in quality management, particularly in the areas of HIV care, and maternal, and newborn health.
According to Shangula, the health ministry has implemented quality improvement (QI) collaboratives with the support of various development partners, focusing on addressing specific gaps in healthcare services.
He said the ten public healthcare facilities currently implementing the NQPS and Quality Standards were highlighted as pioneers in this journey, with efforts underway to achieve accreditation by the Council for Healthcare Services Accreditation of Southern Africa.
UNICEF Namibia’s Country Representative, Samuel Kweku Ocran, shared the minister’s sentiments by also stressing the importance of quality improvement in healthcare.
“Quality improvement and performance improvement are vital components of the healthcare system, playing a key role in improving patient outcomes, promoting patient safety, and optimizing healthcare delivery,” Ocran said.
He shared insights on UNICEF’s ongoing support for maternal and newborn health quality improvement programs in Namibia, which have significantly benefited from investments totalling approximately N$4.5 million since 2019.
“These initiatives have reached over 98% of all live births annually, reflecting the commitment to reducing morbidity and mortality among children and women,” he said.
The U.S. government’s support for Namibia’s healthcare quality management was also accentuated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) representative in Namibia.
The CDC, alongside USAID and PEPFAR, has been instrumental in supporting the health ministry’s mission to deliver high-quality, equitable healthcare services across the country.
“Quality relies upon data, training, performance management, and mentorship,” the CDC’s representative in Namibia said.
The conference brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, and experts who will share best practices and successful Quality Improvement initiatives from both public and private healthcare facilities.
The presentations and discussions over the three days of the conference are expected to develop a culture of continuous improvement across all healthcare services in Namibia, driving the nation closer to its goal of delivering exceptional healthcare to all communities.
