Austerity measures bite
“Money isn't the most important thing in life, but it is reasonably close to oxygen on the 'gotta have it scale' scale”.
This is according to American author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. In reality, doctors and nurses understand better the “gotta have it” oxygen principle that saves lives. Today, the country finds itself grappling to be frugal but this frugality is coming with serious consequences.
The media has reported in stories now and again about budget cuts in government ministries - some of which may prove to be catastrophic. Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga recently aired his concerns about budget cuts on the Namibian police force and the subsequent dire consequences that will derail the force's mandate and put law and order on tenterhooks.
Worrying, is the sectors that the state's cost cutting axe has chopped. State assistance given to accused persons by appointed lawyers has not been paid and the lawyers are biting the bullet.
Isn't that eroding the justice delivery system in this country? In recent years, government has gone all out to improve the education system and even went a step further by offering free primary and secondary education, a decision that was applauded. But according to the education ministry permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp, the red flags are up and she said in recent media reports that parents must get ready to assist.
With the axe wielding above and descending upon critical government departments, one needs to ask if the Ministry of Poverty Eradication is ever going to be able to deliver on its mandate. At Koes in the deep south of Namibia, vitamin pills are now disbursed wrapped in pieces of paper because there is no packaging. And they are disbursed for flu as there is no Panado.
Foreign nurses who only speak English are employed in areas where the patients and the nurses do not understand one another. How then do we serve and save the lives of these mostly remote-based citizens? As the financial situation seems to be on a definite path to the intensive care unit, the government needs to find its financial oxygen to save this nation. And quickly too.
This is according to American author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. In reality, doctors and nurses understand better the “gotta have it” oxygen principle that saves lives. Today, the country finds itself grappling to be frugal but this frugality is coming with serious consequences.
The media has reported in stories now and again about budget cuts in government ministries - some of which may prove to be catastrophic. Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga recently aired his concerns about budget cuts on the Namibian police force and the subsequent dire consequences that will derail the force's mandate and put law and order on tenterhooks.
Worrying, is the sectors that the state's cost cutting axe has chopped. State assistance given to accused persons by appointed lawyers has not been paid and the lawyers are biting the bullet.
Isn't that eroding the justice delivery system in this country? In recent years, government has gone all out to improve the education system and even went a step further by offering free primary and secondary education, a decision that was applauded. But according to the education ministry permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp, the red flags are up and she said in recent media reports that parents must get ready to assist.
With the axe wielding above and descending upon critical government departments, one needs to ask if the Ministry of Poverty Eradication is ever going to be able to deliver on its mandate. At Koes in the deep south of Namibia, vitamin pills are now disbursed wrapped in pieces of paper because there is no packaging. And they are disbursed for flu as there is no Panado.
Foreign nurses who only speak English are employed in areas where the patients and the nurses do not understand one another. How then do we serve and save the lives of these mostly remote-based citizens? As the financial situation seems to be on a definite path to the intensive care unit, the government needs to find its financial oxygen to save this nation. And quickly too.
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Namibian Sun
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