Health minister did not pull punches

In an exclusive interview with Namibian Sun, Haufiku shared his frustration with the ‘mess’ at the Okahao State Hospital and the stink in hospital corridors including the toilet next to his own office. He also vented his frustration about non-performing contractors who fail to deliver and yet are granted new tenders. According to him, the contractors awarded the tender to build the N$38 million TB ward at Keetmanshoop did substandard work and left the project incomplete. Questionably, the same contractor was assigned the Okahao tender, which Haufiku described as a mess. “Okahao is a very sad situation. The room the doctors are currently using for emergency check-ups is dangerous and not fit for human occupation. I am told a big sum of money was paid to the person who did not finish the renovation,” he said. The health minister is also frustrated with the complicated tender process and bureaucracy that prolong the correction mechanisms needed. “The sad part is that I was told by experts who I asked to give me their honest opinion, that they must demolish the structure. Imagine how many millions were invested in this project.” The construction and renovations at the hospital ground to a halt following the cancellation of the project with the contractor in 2012. N$27 million was allocated to the project in 2010, of which N$17 million was paid to the contractor. Decaying infrastructure The minister also criticised the Ministry of Works and Transport for “not doing their job”. “It is a true case of negligence. Somebody just did not take responsibility for this. It is all about passing the buck – about covering up the problem,” Haufiku said, adding that the Ministry of Health’s buildings belong to the Ministry of Works and Transport. “There are papers and papers that call the people from the maintenance unit to do repairs. They (Ministry of Works) do not do their work,” said Haufiku. According to him, the only feasible solution is to rope in the private sector, and to employ contract plumbers and handymen from Khomasdal, Katutura, Rehoboth and Okahandja. Haufiku emphasised that his intention to bring the private sector on board and to clean up the mess is driven by a desire to restore order and trust in the ministry. “I mean, will I really come to your house if I cannot distinguish it from a hoenderhok? You can come out appearing clean but I will believe you are also not clean,” he said. According to Haufiku, if a doctor from Medi-Clinic provides services at the State hospital the patients would have confidence in the quality of service being rendered. He added that the ministry is currently in consultation with its cleaning staff after his suggestion to outsource cleaning services turned into a political fight. “If there is a case for them (cleaners) to stay with the ministry doing the job as they would if in the private sector, I would have no problem. My concern is they have been under the State for a long time and things have become worse,” he said, adding that the trade unions will have to prove to him that the quality of work will be high. “Maybe it is not right to say everything is down, but there are just too many things that are down that should not be down. I was just shouting now in the toilet. In our own corridor you could smell the stench. No there is no one checking,” he said. He pointed out that he is frustrated but not discouraged and will work hard to turn around the ministry even if he has to go begging for money. WINDHOEK JEMIMA BEUKES