Following a public outcry, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has intervened after a Grade 1 pupil was denied medical treatment at Ndama Clinic at Rundu last week. This was due to the pupil not having a temporary health passport.
According to the ministry, the clinic ran out of the 30 health passports it had initially been allocated. When the teacher accompanying the pupil sought help, clinic staff reportedly told her to return to the school to fetch a piece of paper that could serve as a temporary record, claiming the clinic had none available.
In a statement issued on 31 October the ministry condemned the incident, saying staff failed to follow proper procedure.
“The clinic should have used any available blank paper endorsed with the official clinic stamp,” the statement reads.
The ministry further confirmed that Ndama Clinic has since received 200 new health passports and a ream of paper to prevent such cases in the future.
A comprehensive staff accountability assessment is currently underway, with disciplinary measures expected against any staff members found to have acted negligently.
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services remains committed to ensuring that no patient is ever denied healthcare due to administrative oversights,” the statement notes. The pupil who was turned away has since been treated at the health facility.
Affirmative Repositioning chairperson in the Kavango East region Gellasius Kandunda says the ministry’s action was delayed.
“There is nothing to investigate on the matter. The healthcare worker admitted the mistakes, therefore, the minister should reshuffle the leadership structure at Ndama Clinic,” he says.
Kandunda criticises the ministry for neglecting such incidents.
“Today, the little one was denied medical treatment, and tomorrow we will hear a life is lost because of someone not doing their job,” he warns.
Kandunda appeals to the health workers to adhere to the code of conduct at all times to save more lives.
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