Health ministry rolls out new complaints system

Patience Makwele

Health Minister Esperance Luvindao has acknowledged growing public frustration over conditions in Namibia’s public health system, including allegations of negligence, poor communication, discrimination, and the unauthorised sharing of patient information.

The admission came as the ministry unveiled a new complaints management system aimed at improving accountability.

Speaking at the launch of the ministry’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Management of Complaints in Windhoek on Wednesday, Luvindao said the ministry could no longer ignore concerns repeatedly raised by patients and their families.

“For too long, the headlines in our national media have painted a distressed picture of our public health institutions. We have heard the cries of the Namibian people,” she said.