Allexer Namundjembo
The Namibia Nurses Union (Nanu) says nurses must be supported and protected to continue delivering quality healthcare services.
Nanu said nurses remain the backbone of the country’s healthcare system despite facing staff shortages, burnout, unsafe working conditions and limited professional development opportunities.
“We call upon all stakeholders, including the government, healthcare institutions and policymakers, to prioritise the welfare, protection, empowerment and continuous professional development of nurses,” Nanu said in a statement to mark International Nurses Day.
The union marked the day under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”.
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Winnie Moongo called on the government to prioritise the mental well-being of nurses working in psychiatric departments.
Moongo told the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday that psychiatric nurses face emotional pressure, trauma, aggression and stressful working environments while caring for mental health patients.
“I strongly believe and propose that psychiatric nurses should receive dedicated psychological support and a special mental wellness or risk allowance in recognition of the difficult conditions they work under,” she said.
Moongo said workers deserve dignity, fair working conditions and protection of their mental health.
“I also suggest regular counselling sessions, decompression leave and wellness programmes to help them cope with the demanding nature of their work. We cannot expect nurses to continue healing others while their own emotional well-being is neglected,” she added.
She said supporting nurses would also improve staff retention, productivity and healthcare delivery.
Concerns around mental healthcare in Namibia’s public health system have persisted for years.
In 2022, then health minister Kalumbi Shangula told the National Assembly that not enough attention had been given to mental health issues.
The remarks came during a debate on a motion tabled by Moongo on the state of mental health in Namibia.
At the time, Moongo highlighted shortages of experienced psychiatric nurses in the public sector.
Moongo said staff shortages remained severe, with reports that one nurse was sometimes responsible for more than 15 patients in psychiatric departments.
The Windhoek facility has a capacity of 220 beds and serves as the national referral centre for general and forensic psychiatry.
Although the Oshakati psychiatric facility only has 60 beds, it frequently takes in up to 200 patients from nearby areas.
Earlier this year, Nanu’s secretary general, Junias Shilunga, intensified calls for government intervention over working conditions, safety and compensation.
In March, Nanu and other unions rejected the government’s proposed 5% salary increase and changes to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas).
The union has also complained about shortages of uniforms, deteriorating infrastructure and safety concerns at public health facilities, including Katutura Intermediate Hospital.
Nanu has also called for protection of healthcare workers from public harassment and social media exposure, stricter regulation of nursing institutions and action against unpaid overtime.
The union said improving working conditions and fair compensation remains important for retaining healthcare workers and improving patient care in Namibia.
International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every year on 12 May to honour the contributions of nurses and commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. The world’s 30 million nurses play a vital role in saving lives, improving healthcare systems, and supporting communities worldwide.
