Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, reaffirmed his ministry’s vision to be the leading provider of healthcare and social services that not only meet but exceed internationally recognised standards.
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services is deeply committed to the continuous improvement, modernisation, and enhancement of healthcare services in Namibia. Our vision is clear—to be the leading provider of healthcare and social services that meet and exceed internationally recognised standards. This is not merely an aspiration; it is a commitment that drives every initiative, every policy, and every action we undertake,” the minister said.
He made these remarks at the Quality Management Conference taking place in Windhoek, under the theme, “Beyond the Blueprint: Transforming Policy into Quality Practice.”
Shangula revealed that the purpose of the three-day conference is to provide a platform for the ministry to reflect on existing policies and strategies, particularly the National Quality Policy and Strategy (NQPS), launched in September 2022.
“The NQPS is not just a document; it is a commitment—a commitment to ensuring that the provision of quality healthcare services becomes the driving force, the norm, the standard, and not the exception in our healthcare delivery system,” he added.
The minister highlighted that the NQPS underscores the importance of knowledge management as a cornerstone for the effective implementation of the ministry’s interventions. He added that the ministry has, for several years, implemented Quality Improvement collaboratives with development cooperation partners, specifically those focused on addressing gaps in HIV care as well as maternal and newborn health.
“Developing these quality management frameworks is only the beginning. The true test of the effectiveness or success of our policies lies in their implementation and the impacts that we are able to make,” he said.
