Health ministry prioritises patient safety
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula says government is committed to creating a healthcare ecosystem that supports and encourages patient engagement across the service field and facilities at all levels for improved well-being.
Shangula made the remarks at the Patient Safety Day on Sunday in Windhoek, commemorated annually on 17 September, under the theme 'engaging patients for patient safety.'
The minister said the theme was adopted in recognition of the crucial roles that patients, families and caregivers play in enhancing and ensuring the safety of patients in any health care setting.
Overall care
He said the day serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of engaging patients in their care.
By prioritising patient engagement, Shangula said the ministry not only enhances patient safety but also improves the overall quality of healthcare at all levels.
"One of the top priorities of the health ministry is to ensure the safety of patients at all times and to ensure a positive experience for all persons who visit or present to a health facility for treatment, care, follow-up, or any other reason. On this day, we recommit to this cardinal imperative of ensuring that all our patients receive the quality, safe, and effective care they need when they present at health facilities at all levels," he said.
The day plays a significant role in taking Namibia closer towards the attainment of set commitments towards universal health coverage (UHC) and ultimately realisation of the targets articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said since 2019, each successive commemoration of the day has focused on a specific theme, addressing key areas of concern related to patient safety.
Patients play a role
Traditionally, Shangula said healthcare has been a provider-driven model, with healthcare professionals making decisions on behalf of patients. However, with progress over decades, it has been recognised that patients are not only passive recipients of care but integral participants in ensuring effective and successful delivery of healthcare services.
"Engaging patients in their care means involving and engaging them fully and informing them adequately in the decisions about their treatment. It means taking into account their views and valuing their perspectives on their health. It is about recognising the uniqueness of each patient and his or her (and their) circumstances," he said.
Shangula made the remarks at the Patient Safety Day on Sunday in Windhoek, commemorated annually on 17 September, under the theme 'engaging patients for patient safety.'
The minister said the theme was adopted in recognition of the crucial roles that patients, families and caregivers play in enhancing and ensuring the safety of patients in any health care setting.
Overall care
He said the day serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of engaging patients in their care.
By prioritising patient engagement, Shangula said the ministry not only enhances patient safety but also improves the overall quality of healthcare at all levels.
"One of the top priorities of the health ministry is to ensure the safety of patients at all times and to ensure a positive experience for all persons who visit or present to a health facility for treatment, care, follow-up, or any other reason. On this day, we recommit to this cardinal imperative of ensuring that all our patients receive the quality, safe, and effective care they need when they present at health facilities at all levels," he said.
The day plays a significant role in taking Namibia closer towards the attainment of set commitments towards universal health coverage (UHC) and ultimately realisation of the targets articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said since 2019, each successive commemoration of the day has focused on a specific theme, addressing key areas of concern related to patient safety.
Patients play a role
Traditionally, Shangula said healthcare has been a provider-driven model, with healthcare professionals making decisions on behalf of patients. However, with progress over decades, it has been recognised that patients are not only passive recipients of care but integral participants in ensuring effective and successful delivery of healthcare services.
"Engaging patients in their care means involving and engaging them fully and informing them adequately in the decisions about their treatment. It means taking into account their views and valuing their perspectives on their health. It is about recognising the uniqueness of each patient and his or her (and their) circumstances," he said.
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