EDITORIAL: Mixed reactions to CPBN’s work

The Central Procurement Board of Namibia’s (CPBN) work has been receiving mixed public reactions of late. While there are those who feel the board helps to better administer the country’s public procurement system, others are of the view that it merely creates more bureaucratic red tape.

The health ministry, in particular, seems to be the most impacted by the work of the board due to the multiple award challenges that arise when it comes to supply tenders.

The ministry has also blamed the tender award delays for the medicine shortages at public health facilities.

This is despite CPBN defending its position, saying it has always devised remedial action to allow the ministry to do short-term procurement when its decisions are challenged in order to avoid hospitals from completely running out of stock.

Regardless of who is right, in the end, it is average Namibians who suffer greatly due to these systemic shortcomings, which are not being cleared, Citizens in remote areas have to travel long distances to healthcare facilities, only to be told there is no medication.

It may also be time to look into the CPBN’s work in order to determine why so many health tender awards are constantly challenged. Why are contracts in other sectors not subject to litigation as frequently? Perhaps the fault lies with the board’s processes, or perhaps it is something the health ministry is getting wrong when it comes to doing the groundwork.