27 Aug 2014

Ghanzi Primary Hospital has launched the national health quality standards as one of its strategic initiatives of improving the quality and safety of health services.


The standards provided a set of minimum basic requirements for provision of quality and safe healthcare services, as well as serving as a road map for service improvements.

In her address when launching the standards, Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr Khumo Seipone said both public and private health sectors were faced with major challenges; one of which she noted was provision of quality and safe healthcare services. 


Dr Seipone emphasised that the expectation was that these standards will serve as catalysts for change and create the foundation for meeting the needs and expectations of clients.

“The standards will not only provide a framework for self-assessment and external review and investigation, but will also build a quality and safety culture that will enhance the reputation and credibility of our health care system,” stated Dr Seipone.


She therefore said the successful implementation of these standards require the entire healthcare sector from both private and public sector to take account of the quality and safety of all the health services.

Dr Seipone implored healthcare providers to utilise these standards to conduct self-assessment to recognise their shortfalls and manage their performance.


She also urged leadership committees in various districts health management teams to resuscitate these standards, emphasizing that the provision of quality and safe healthcare services is underpinned by good management, leadership and governance.


With progress made by health facilities to achieve compliance against these standards, Dr Seipone said that the Ministry of Health is currently reviewing the existing Private Hospitals and Nursing Home Act of 1989. 


She stated that the national health quality standards will thereafter be specifically articulated in the licensing conditions to make them compulsory. 

She also said they will be used in the development of a certification system that will be made mandatory to both public and private facilities.

These national health quality standards also challenge the public who are the recipients of the health services.

The public no longer complain of non-availability of hospitals, clinics, and or other health facilities, but rather the quality and safety of services they are receiving.


Dr Seipone therefore advised the public on their role of ensuring that they receive the best quality and safe care. 

She implored them to make it a point that they understand the care and treatment choices available regarding their own health and demand for such care in an amicable, reasonable and acceptable manner. Ends