The Ministry of Health and Social Services has received an additional N$184 million from the government to recruit over 2 000 new staff members.
Health minister Esperance Luvindao says the cash injection is part of efforts to support health facility decongestion across the country.
She says the ministry at the beginning of this year determined that it needed over N$800 million to recruit the 2 035 healthcare workers it needed, but has only received N$150 million of this amount.
This amount was used to fund 295 clinical posts and 54 non-clinical posts.
The minister says N$179.5 million of the N$184 million will be used to fill 1 713 clinical posts during this financial year.
“We must be honest about the current reality as we work towards where we want to be.
For Katatura Intermediate Hospital 184 posts (at N$14.5 million), including 17 enrolled nurses, and 48 registered nurses.
“For Windhoek Central Hospital, 98 posts, including 17 medical officers.
The Khomas region directorate will receive 88 posts to strengthen primary care at district level,” Luvindao says.
The ||Kharas region will recruit 57 nurses , while the Erongo region will fill 85 nursing posts.
Luvindao says for specialised care to improve, Onandjokwe Hospital will hire 45 medical officers, while Oshakati Intermediate Hospital will be recruiting nine specialists.
The recruitment drive, which was announced yesterday, will be achieved through savings, “more prudent work” and some reallocation of funds.
The ministry says the recruitment process will prioritise national referral hospitals and regional facilities to ensure adequate staffing and improved service delivery countrywide.
“This investment reflects the government’s commitment to quality healthcare because the health workforce is our most valuable asset, and strengthening it is essential for delivering better services to our people,” executive director of health and social services Penda Ithindi says.
The ministry urges all qualified, unemployed health professionals to take up the recruitment opportunity.
