Placido Hilukilwa
OHANGWENA Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has encouraged leaders and public servants to continue working together to build a healthcare system that is efficient, accountable, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to quality healthcare, saying that healthcare professionals remain the backbone of Namibia’s health system.
She delivered a keynote address on the occasion of the second edition of the Ohangwena Regional Health Directorate’s Health Professionals’ Award Ceremony, held at the border town of Helao Nafidi on Friday.
Hamutumwa described the event as “more than a ceremony of awards and recognition”, saying it reaffirms the region’s commitment to professional excellence and improved service delivery.
“This award ceremony demonstrates the region’s commitment to promote excellence within nursing services and primary health care,” she said, adding that the event encourages healthy competition among districts, strengthens institutional accountability, and motivates healthcare workers to continuously improve service delivery.
The awards — based on measurable indicators including patient care, infection prevention and control, hospital cleanliness, data management, leadership and timely reporting — were presented to district hospitals, management teams, and individual healthcare workers.
Hamutumwa commended all recipients for their dedication, resilience and professionalism.
Ohangwena Region serves one of the largest populations in Namibia through district hospitals, health centres, clinics, outreach points, and antiretroviral treatment sites. It also handles the influx of patients from neighbouring Angola.
The governor thanked Prime Health Namibia, the main sponsor of the event, for its continued partnership.
She also referred to the ruling SWAPO Party’s manifesto, which emphasises commitment to strengthening the health sector through equitable access to quality healthcare, investment in human capital, improved infrastructure, and responsive public health systems.
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services,” she said, “continues to pursue its vision of a healthy nation with improved quality of life for all Namibians, guided by its mission to provide integrated, affordable, and people-centred health and social services.”
The Ohangwena Region introduced its health directorate award in 2025 to recognise hospitals that are performing well in the provision of patient care.
PICTURED: Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa.
