WINDHOEK—The Namibian government has initiated the consolidation of its health regulatory bodies into a single entity, the Health Professions Council of Namibia, aimed at enhancing the oversight and regulation of health professionals across the country. Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, introduced the Health Professions Council of Namibia Bill in the National Assembly, marking a significant shift towards streamlining healthcare regulation.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the proposed council will amalgamate the existing five health professions councils into one statutory body. This includes the Social Work and Psychology Council of Namibia, the Allied Health Professions Council of Namibia, the Nursing Council of Namibia, the Pharmacy Council of Namibia, and the Medical and Dental Council of Namibia. “It is a well-known fact that Namibia is not self-sufficient with respect to healthcare professionals,” Shangula noted, addressing the challenges of adequately deploying healthcare workers throughout the nation.
The Bill also introduces a mandatory public service stint for health professionals, which requires them to serve in the public sector for a certain period before they can be licensed to work privately. This move is designed to mitigate the shortage of skilled health workers in underserved regions of Namibia. Furthermore, the legislation aims to enhance the regulation of health institutions and tighten control over the registration and licensing processes for healthcare professionals and pharmacists. It also seeks to expedite the investigation of complaints regarding unprofessional conduct.
Minister Shangula emphasized the critical nature of the reforms, urging his fellow lawmakers to support the Bill’s passage to ensure better administration and increased patient safety in the healthcare system.