Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has said that it spent a total of N$1.2 million on compensatory payouts related to compensation claims during the 2024/25 financial year.
The revelation comes at a time when local news reports revealed that Auditor General reports indicated that, between 2019 and 2024, the health ministry spent nearly N$14.7 million on compensation claims.
The Health Minister, Esperance Luvindao, responding to questions by opposition party member of parliament Bonny Susiku regarding concerns around healthcare litigation, said that the ministry can confirm that a comprehensive report on damages and losses incurred during the 2024/25 financial year due to litigation is available.
“It should be noted that cases instituted against the State, through this Ministry, are generally classified under the following categories: motor vehicle accidents, labour and industrial relations, medical negligence, and general breach of contract. During the 2024/25 financial year, the Ministry made compensatory payments totalling about N$1,286,051.90. These payments were made in respect of six (6) settlements,” Luvindao said.
She added that every complaint received at facility level is recorded at complaints desks and investigated. Complainants are given feedback and may escalate their concerns through the chain of command up to the minister if dissatisfied.
“Many hospitals have customer service/complaints procedures to ensure a timely response. Recommendations from the findings are implemented. The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) is an independent statutory body that investigates professional conduct, protects the public, and makes recommendations; we routinely request and accept their independent findings and implement corrective action where required,” Luvindao said.
She added that the health ministry uses standard maternal and perinatal death review guidelines to determine clinical causes and system gaps so that lessons are translated into practice.
“General clinical and death audit guidelines were officially launched in May 2025 to strengthen confidential clinical and mortality review processes and ensure improvements are actioned at facility level,” the health minister said.
In addition to this, in 2022, the MoHSS launched the National Quality Policy and Strategy (NQPS) alongside the Healthcare Facility Quality Standards.
“Since then, the Ministry has been rolling out these standards and related Quality Management initiatives to strengthen processes, reduce errors, and enhance documentation and clinical governance, thereby minimising legal risks through improved care and record-keeping. Implementation is being conducted in phases and currently covers referral and intermediate hospitals, five selected district hospitals, and an increasing number of primary healthcare sites,” Luvindao said.
She further noted that targeted measures, including clinical mentoring, post-operative care protocols, better patient triage, improved referral and ambulance services, stock and equipment sourcing, and workforce strengthening, are being rolled out. Where gaps are outside the ministry’s direct control (e.g. patient late presentation, concurrent use of traditional/herbal remedies, or nationwide shortages), they work with partners and the public to address these root causes.
“We are also strengthening training in clinical documentation, informed consent processes and escalation procedures so avoidable litigation is reduced and, where care falls short, corrective steps are clear and timely,” Luvindao said.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: File
