The government has approved the creation of 11,438 new positions within the Ministry of Health and Social Services aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the country.
Speaking at the launch of its Customer Service Charter on Monday, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, said the expansion will improve staffing at health centres and district hospitals, reducing patient referrals to distant facilities and ensuring accessible, high-quality healthcare.
“Recently, the Ministry received approval from the Office of the Prime Minister to create 11,438 new positions on its staff establishment. This landmark step will significantly enhance our capacity to fill critical positions and further enhance service delivery,” he said.
He further explained that in the past month, 80 new doctors were deployed to Oshakati and Katutura Intermediate Hospitals, while additional nurses and pharmacists have been recruited nationwide.
The newly created positions will further support these efforts, ensuring that every health facility, from health posts to referral hospitals, has adequate staffing.
The ministry is actively working to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, with a focus on establishing Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in all 34 districts, expanding dialysis services, and establishing health posts in rural areas.
These developments are part of a five-year plan to reinforce key healthcare components, including human resources, infrastructure, medical technology and pharmaceutical supply chains.
“These include the establishment of Intensive Care Units at all 34 District Hospitals, which is underway; the newly established Health Posts, which are part of our strategy to improve primary healthcare, of which 17 of them have been commissioned, mainly in rural areas; the establishment of dialysis services at Katutura, Oshakati and Rundu Intermediate Hospitals as well as Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Otjiwarongo and Walvis Bay District Hospitals,” Shangula said.
Shangula also said in recent years, the Ministry has worked closely with development partners to modernise its health workforce management.
The Integrated Human Resources Information System has improved data accuracy and operational efficiency, enabling better workforce planning and deployment.
The recently enacted Health Professions Act (Act No. 13 of 2024) is set to further regulate and optimise healthcare staffing.
“The system produces the Annual Health Workforce Status Report, with comprehensive data that can be used to better address gaps, forecast needs and align our human resources management with the demands of a dynamic healthcare environment,” he said.
Despite progress, Shangula said challenges remain, particularly in addressing work attitudes and ensuring consistent service quality.
The Customer Service Charter serves as a tool to promote professionalism and reinforce values such as transparency, accountability and patient-centred care.
All healthcare staff are expected to uphold these standards, while patients are encouraged to hold the ministry accountable for the services they receive.
“By adhering to the values and commitments encapsulated in the Charter, we foster an environment of accountability and high-quality service delivery. We can ensure that citizens receive the care they are entitled to at all times,” he said.
