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Want some insight in Namibian politics? I am no expert but have 16 years (1995-2011) of writing on Namibian politics in The Namibian newspaper and can probably offer you a bit more than you know about the who's who in the Namibian political zoo. You will also find a few articles commenting on other issues of concern in the country. Hope you find it interesting. - Christof

Monday, February 28, 2011

The Human Cost Of Poor Management

FOR a month in January this year I visited the Intensive Care Unit at the Windhoek Central Hospital on a regular basis and was in awe at the dedication of the staff towards their patients.

Almost daily I saw different shifts of health personnel taking turns as they cared for patients, some of whom arrived in a coma and left wide awake.
This group of personnel took time to explain to relatives what they were doing and advised them on how the families should take care of their kin after they had been discharged.
And then the story broke about the power cuts and the deaths of two patients - both of whom I had seen - in the same ICU.
Godwin Jones (40) and young mother Magrith Somaes (19) – neither a relative of mine - died after the electricity outage cut off their oxygen supply. Both had relied on ventilators to breathe.
The event was heartbreaking for the group of health personnel, to say the least.
They spent hours fighting for the same lives which were lost in an instant because someone else out there is not taking his or her job seriously!
Last week I read about Minister Richard Kamwi’s stance on such happenings. He was furious and talked about “something ... smelly” about the way in which tenders are awarded as well as about the commitment of some staff members.
For me the most crucial issue was his concern about the Cabinet directive that line ministries should set up their own maintenance units, which has yet to be implemented.
For long, health officials have been complaining that the Ministry of Works was not doing a good job maintaining their facilities. Yet, when a directive is finally given for them to set up their own maintenance department, they are fast asleep.
Can one than conclude that such sluggishness is a measure of where the ministry’s white-collar officials are?
Worst of all, when deaths occurred in the ICU, none of the people who are supposed to own up to this have done so.
In fact, for the past two weeks reporters were sent from pillar to post as they tried to obtain information about what went wrong and what steps had been taken to remedy the situation. In three instances a colleague of mine had the telephone slammed down in his ears by people who are supposed to shed light on the issue.
Of course, we know that it is a sensitive case, but sensitive for whom? Are the families not entitled to answers? Would it not be good if the Ministry of Health dealt transparently with the case?
I wonder what the reaction would have been if such electricity outage had occurred while a VIP was being treated in the ICU. Would we have seen a major public outcry and demonstrations demanding answers? Would Minister Kamwi have called a media briefing to explain what had happened?
The incident was not limited to the Windhoek Central Hospital.
Earlier this month the Outjo State Hospital had to rely on a generator for almost a week because its electricity bill had not been paid. We have had such cases at other health institutions before.
When this kind of problem is treated in the manner it has been, the future impact can be profound.
Health staff are likely to take their jobs for granted and, gradually, vital services will no longer be a priority.
There are lots of hardworking nurses and doctors who sweat buckets on a daily basis as they fight for the lives of thousands, but they can only do their job effectively if they have the support from other staff in the ministry.
Incidents such as the deaths of Jones and Somaes should not happen again.
All it would take is for a handful of on-the-fence personnel to do the right thing. Here’s hoping!

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