Haufiku puts in 12-hour shift
The spirit of service was celebrated in true style when health minister Dr Bernard Haufiku worked a 12-hour shift at the Katutura State Hospital's casualty ward on Independence Day.
Although Haufiku refused to be photographed during his shift, he told Namibian Sun he felt this was the best way in which he could honour Namibia's fallen heroes and heroines.
Haufiku, who relieved a doctor in the casualty ward, said there had been a lot of complaints about the hospital's operations.
“I think 60% of cases reported here are not really emergencies, but minor cases that can still be seen at a clinic the next day. The other thing is sick leave; I already picked up about 50% of the cases are people who want to be booked off on sick leave,” he said.
According to him this is a bad habit and especially young people are abusing the system. He urged hospital staff to be firm when dealing with this issue.
Haufiku also said the Katutura Health Centre, which is expected to open its doors in April, will alleviate the burden at the casualty ward.
“The health centre will open 24 hours a day, if I am not mistaken. We were waiting for the new cycle of the budget to be able to pay the staff overnight.
If you work at night you are basically working overtime; you are not working the stipulated hours of the Labour Act. This will help to further decongest the situation at Katutura,” he said.
The minister is adamant his random reporting for duty at hospitals and clinics countrywide is not a publicity stunt, but rather goes a long way in informing effective policies.
Haufiku has on numerous occasions rolled up his own sleeves to join other doctors and medical specialists during medical outreaches and has become a regular face in state hospitals.
“I do this anytime; I can even go to Keetmanshoop or Katima Mulilo hospital anytime. I think I have entirely the right to do it anytime, but not to be a casualty doctor. I do what I do, but I mostly pick up a lot of first-hand experiences. We make better policies and better coded behaviours,” he said.
One of the things he picked up is that there is no air conditioner in the doctor's room and the chairs are falling apart.
“Our doctors are also human beings,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Although Haufiku refused to be photographed during his shift, he told Namibian Sun he felt this was the best way in which he could honour Namibia's fallen heroes and heroines.
Haufiku, who relieved a doctor in the casualty ward, said there had been a lot of complaints about the hospital's operations.
“I think 60% of cases reported here are not really emergencies, but minor cases that can still be seen at a clinic the next day. The other thing is sick leave; I already picked up about 50% of the cases are people who want to be booked off on sick leave,” he said.
According to him this is a bad habit and especially young people are abusing the system. He urged hospital staff to be firm when dealing with this issue.
Haufiku also said the Katutura Health Centre, which is expected to open its doors in April, will alleviate the burden at the casualty ward.
“The health centre will open 24 hours a day, if I am not mistaken. We were waiting for the new cycle of the budget to be able to pay the staff overnight.
If you work at night you are basically working overtime; you are not working the stipulated hours of the Labour Act. This will help to further decongest the situation at Katutura,” he said.
The minister is adamant his random reporting for duty at hospitals and clinics countrywide is not a publicity stunt, but rather goes a long way in informing effective policies.
Haufiku has on numerous occasions rolled up his own sleeves to join other doctors and medical specialists during medical outreaches and has become a regular face in state hospitals.
“I do this anytime; I can even go to Keetmanshoop or Katima Mulilo hospital anytime. I think I have entirely the right to do it anytime, but not to be a casualty doctor. I do what I do, but I mostly pick up a lot of first-hand experiences. We make better policies and better coded behaviours,” he said.
One of the things he picked up is that there is no air conditioner in the doctor's room and the chairs are falling apart.
“Our doctors are also human beings,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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