Maria David
THE Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, announced that the ministry has requested the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to abolish 1,784 posts and create 1,871 new ones, resulting in a net gain of 87 positions.
Shangula made these remarks during the Ministerial Planning and Financial Management Meeting on Tuesday, where he discussed the finalization of recruitment plans for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years.
According to Shangula, the ministry has also identified 1,493 additional posts and 861 positions for new services needed to align with the current health service needs of the population.
“It is through proficient planning and sound financial management that we can secure the success of our health sector. Effective financial management is the cornerstone of advancing our aspirations, turning them into tangible outcomes that improve lives and promote health equity,” he said.
He added that failing to spend available funds, thereby denying services to the intended beneficiaries, is a form of financial mismanagement that must be avoided.
Moreover, Shangula highlighted that through strategic planning and budgeting, efforts to address critical areas such as reducing maternal, neonatal, and child mortality are being refined to invest in programs like comprehensive maternal and neonatal health care.
He said that through prudent financial management, funds were reallocated to areas of immediate need, such as expanding critical care infrastructure and ensuring the supply and availability of essential medicines and personal protective equipment.
Shangula stressed that deliberate actions have also been taken to procure modern medical equipment to improve patient care. These interventions have significantly strengthened the public health system.
He emphasized that these measures not only helped address the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic but also laid the groundwork for a more robust, agile health system capable of better serving the Namibian population in the future.
