The Ministry of Health and Social Services has addressed concerns following a video circulating on social media, which showed nurses at Swakopmund State Hospital seated while patients waited outside for dental services. The video, taken by a member of the public, sparked widespread discussions about the hospital’s handling of patient care. In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Walters Kamaya, the ministry confirmed awareness of the video. He explained that the situation in question involved patients who had arrived for dental consultations, where the hospital’s limited resources are a factor in patient service delivery. Limited Resources and Communication with Patients Kamaya elaborated that the hospital has a single dental consultation room with only one chair, which accommodates one patient at a time with the doctor. Due to this, patients were informed about the facility’s constraints as soon as they arrived, and the waiting patients were educated by a customer care officer about the situation. “The patients were made aware of the facility’s limitations early in the morning, and they accepted that only one doctor could assist them, given the availability of just one consultation chair,” Kamaya stated. Concerns Over Unauthorised Video Recording While explaining the hospital’s position, Kamaya also addressed the discomfort caused to patients by unauthorized video recordings. The video in question was taken without the consent of those featured, a practice that the Ministry strongly discourages. He urged the public to refrain from recording or sharing videos of patients in healthcare settings without their explicit consent. “The taking of such videos without consent makes our patients uncomfortable. We have received complaints from individuals who were recorded in similar circumstances, and we urge the public to respect the privacy of patients,” Kamaya added. Open Door Policy for Public Engagement The Ministry further emphasized its commitment to transparency and open communication. Kamaya encouraged the public to approach the leadership of health facilities directly if they have any concerns or observations. He highlighted the Ministry’s open-door policy, which invites members of the public to engage with facility leadership to understand the situation before taking matters into their own hands. “Rather than recording and sharing videos, we encourage members of the public to engage with the leadership of the facility. At Swakopmund State Hospital, the leadership and customer care officers invited the person who took the video to discuss the situation, but unfortunately, the individual did not follow up on that invitation,” Kamaya said. Moving Forward Kamaya concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to improving patient care despite the challenges posed by limited resources. He appealed to the public for understanding and cooperation to help ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect, both in the hospital and in the community. “We ask for patience and understanding as we work to address these issues. Engaging with us directly is far more productive than sharing videos that may misrepresent the situation and make our patients uncomfortable,” he said. The Ministry of Health and Social Services remains committed to improving healthcare services across the country and will continue to engage with the public to ensure that concerns are addressed in a constructive manner.
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