Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani says the party wants to construct six rehabilitation and mental health facilities across six regions, if voted into power.
Venaani made these remarks at a rally at Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West region on Saturday.
This comes after PDM vice president Jennifer van den Heever in June tabled a motion in parliament seeking the establishment of more state-owned alcohol and drug rehab centres in every region, to address the prevalent abuse of substances, particularly by men.
The motion was aimed at addressing the accessibility and affordability of alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres in the country, as well as highlighting the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and ensuring addicts get help.
“We will adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to health that combines three core components: multisectoral policy and action; empowered people and communities; primary care and essential public health functions as the core of integrated health services,” he added.
According to Venaani, the PDM will upgrade health facilities across the country to provide quality care for all.
“Every Namibian should have access to healthcare without the fear of financial ruin.
We will work towards establishing more clinics and hospitals, ensuring that our healthcare system is equipped to meet the needs of our growing population,” Venaani promised.
As outlined in the party manifesto, the PDM government will address inequality by building health facilities, especially primary healthcare facilities and health centres within a 5km radius for optimal access, especially in rural areas.
According to Venaani, the country needs to realise universal health and coverage for all Namibians.
“Protecting people from the financial consequences of paying for health services out of their own pockets reduces the risk that people will be pushed into poverty because the cost of needed specialised health services and treatments requires them to at times use their life savings, sell assets or borrow – often leaving their futures and those of their children in financial ruin,” he added.
EXPENSIVE SERVICE
Van den Heever said Namibia lacks accessible and affordable rehabilitation services.
“There is a lack of alcohol and rehabilitation centres in Namibia. The Etegameno Rehabilitation Centre of the health ministry is the only state rehabilitation centre that offers treatment and the rehabilitation of alcohol and drug-dependent individuals and their families,” she said.
The centre charges a maximum of N$1 000 for employed people and N$350 for unemployed people for admission, she added.
Private rehabilitation centres include Mount Sinai Recovery Centre at Usakos, Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre at Outjo and Cornerstone Wellness Centre at Brakwater, which she said charge over N$20 000 for treatment.
“This cost of treatment is exorbitant, and so many of these people are unemployed,” she added.
GOOD IDEA
Executive director of health and social services Ben Nangombe, at the time, said having rehabilitation centres countrywide would be good for the country.
He, however, questioned whether available resources would allow for these.
“The Etegameno Rehabilitation Centre in Windhoek, although not adequate, is providing services but the capacity is limited. So to say there should be a centre in each region may not be realistic at this time,” Nangombe added.
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