The Erongo Region has received the award for the best performance in the country regarding public pharmaceutical services, while Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has been acknowledged as the best pharmacy in the country.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) presented awards to top-performing regions and hospitals at the Annual National Pharmaceutical Service Forum.

The five-day forum, held in Walvis Bay, serves as a platform for discussing various aspects related to pharmaceutical services in Namibia.

The awards ceremony is part of a programme aimed at promoting better service in the sector.

Erongo won the award for the best-performing region for the second consecutive year, with Oshana and |Khomas ranking second and third, respectively.

In the best hospital category, Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital took the top spot, followed by Oshakati Intermediate and Swakopmund District Hospitals in second and third place, respectively.

In a new category, Grootfontein District Hospital and Hardap Region were recognised as the most improved hospitals and regions, respectively.

The Executive Director commended the winners and encouraged other healthcare providers to reflect and strive for improvement.

Ben Nangombe stated that while pharmaceutical stock shortages are identified as a major challenge, there are also some managerial and operational weaknesses within the system.

"What are we doing to prevent the theft of pharmaceutical items and related products? Do we promptly report issues such as equipment malfunctions, non-functioning air-conditioning systems in pharmacies, and problems with our dispensaries to ensure that the products we have remain suitable for human consumption? Our pharmacists in the public sector receive the same training as those in the private sector, but there is a persistent notion that public sector pharmacists are less efficient. Why does this notion persist? I urge you to rise to the occasion and dispel this notion, and the only way to do that is by working hard."

On average, pharmacists in public hospitals handle 50 to 60 patients per day, and this high workload impacts the quality of their work.