Private doctors urged to work night shifts at Katutura clinic – nurses warn of burnout crisis

THE Ministry of Health and Social Services is urging private doctors to volunteer after hours at the Katutura Health Centre to ease growing patient pressures.

The Namibia Nurses Union (Nanu) has, however, warned that expecting private healthcare personnel to volunteer after hours at state hospitals would be “catastrophic” as they would then be working around the clock.

In a notice issued on social media on Wednesday, the ministry revealed that for the past few months, the Katutura Health Centre has recorded an increasing number of patients seeking services at night.

The ministry says the “preferred hours of service” are from 17h00 to 23h00, starting from 1 July until further notice.

The call targets private medical staff who are prepared to provide their services without compensation to ease the burden on the public health system.

“The Ministry of Health and Social Services is seeking expression of interest from medical officers in private practice for the provision of health services on a pro bono basis,” the notice reads.

Katutura Health Centre, one of the busiest in the capital, has been struggling with congestion and long waiting times, especially after hours, due to limited personnel and a growing demand from surrounding communities.

Ministry spokesperson Walter Kamaya yesterday said: “It’s not that somebody has failed. We just need more hands.”

Namibia Medical Society spokesperson Ndaudanekelwa Hapulile says the ministry’s call has not been communicated to the society.

EXHAUSTED VOLUNTEERS

The call has sparked mixed reaction among healthcare professionals, with some describing it as a sign of a deeper crisis in the sector.
Nanu secretary general Junias Shilunga raises concerns over the nature of the appeal, adding that it reflects the critical shortage of healthcare workers in the country.

“If you’re asking people to work voluntarily, what does that mean? You mean people can come and work for free? That is what it means,” he says.

Shilunga asks why the ministry is not using the doctors already in the public system or recruiting the many unemployed, registered medical practitioners.

“We have a lot of doctors who are unemployed now, but they are registered with the health professions council. Why are they not recruiting?” he asks.

‘UNREALISTIC’

He says asking private doctors to offer free services after hours is unrealistic.

“Will they not be tired by that time? The private sector also has its own shifts. How are these people going to perform after hours?”
Shilunga further asks whether the appeal includes nurses.

“This is a serious crisis. Health is scrambling,” he says.

In contrast, some private doctors say the idea could work under the right conditions.

Medical doctor Donald Kanyenze says the initiative could help ease pressure if enough practitioners are willing to volunteer.
“It depends on each individual and how busy they are at their practice.

It’s a normal idea as long as it’s pro bono and voluntary,” he says.
General practitioner Dr David Uirab also supports the ministry’s call, describing it as necessary collaboration between sectors in times of need.

“The health system is one system. Although there is the public sector and the private sector, when there is a need, especially when there are diseases the public is concerned about, there is always a need for collaboration,” he says.

He mentioned the Covid-19 pandemic as an example where private doctors stepped in to support the state health system.

“Private patients were being admitted to Katutura State Hospital because private hospitals were full. Private doctors were assisting the state when there was a need.”

The ministry has not yet confirmed whether nurses are also included in the appeal, and whether the arrangement would include any form of remuneration or incentive.

Windhoek-based dentist Kagiso Moloi says he has been doing pro bono work for the health ministry for years.

“I’ve been dedicating my time and skills to performing voluntary medical male circumcisions across the country without expecting payment, and I encourage more doctors to do so.

“It is my gift to the nation of Namibia,” he says.

Moloi says he partnered with former health minister Kalumbi Shangula and travelled countrywide, sacrificing one week a month from his private practice.

“This also helps train new doctors doing internships,” he says.

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