Presentation Layout 1. Background

2. Specialization Process

3. Procedures for Submitting Fellowship Applications

4. Financial Assistance

5. Doctors on Specialization

6. Current Priority Specialization needs

7. Achievements

8. Challenges

Background MoHSS mission is to provide integrated, affordable,

accessible quality health and social welfare services

that is responsive to the needs of the Namibian

population.

To achieve this mission there has to be the right

number of human resources at the right place, right

time and with right skills mix.

Currently the MoHSS is experiencing a shortage of

specialists in some fields especially in Regional

Referral Hospitals and this has created a burden on

National Referral Hospitals.

Background Cont…..

Due to the shortage mentioned above, the MoHSS rely heavily on Expatriates hence measures have been put in place to send more Namibian doctors for specialization.

Secondly the MoHSS has been sourcing for placements for doctors who would like to specialize in several fields in countries like RSA, Tanzania, Ghana, Zimbabwe.

Thirdly the MoHSS has sent a number of students to study Medicine as a result the Ministry will need more doctors to specialize so that they can help to mentor and supervise these students when they finish. The school of Medicine is also producing its own doctors that need mentoring and supervision. There are also a number of students that are studying under NSFAF funding and some are privately funded.

Last but not least, the Ministry is busy revising its structure and a number of specialists are needed to fill the posts in the referral as well as Regional Hospitals.

Medical Researchers are also needed to come up with new treatment methods.

Specialization Process

Liaise with Medical superintendents to identify

specialties needs

Identify registrable academic institutions where to

send doctors for specialization

Invite doctors to apply for admission and study

leave

Advise doctors to apply and prepare for primary

examinations

Advise them to apply for financial assistance from

NSFAF

Procedures for Submitting Study Leave

Applications

Namibian Citizen

Completed internship and appointed as a medical

officer

Three years working experience in MoHSS

Six months working experience in the department in

which specialization is desired.

Primary examination written and passed before

commencement of specialization

Recommendation by Departmental supervisor

Financial Assistance MoHSS provides special study leave with full

remuneration

Liaise with NSFAF and other donor funding

organizations such as MVA and Social security

Commission to provide financial assistance.

Doctors on Specialization

Specialization field No under training Country of training

General Surgery 4 South Africa

Cardiothoracic Surgery 2 South Africa

Pediatric Cardiology 1 South Africa

Pediatric Surgery 1 South Africa

Obstetric &Gynecology 2 South Africa

Anesthesiology 3 South Africa, Zimbabwe

Urology 1 South Africa

Pediatric and Child Health 5 South Africa

Radiology/Oncology 3 South Africa

Internal Medicine 5 South Africa, Zimbabwe

Dermatology 4 South Africa, China

Psychiatry 1 Tanzania

Doctors on Specialization Cont…….

Specialization field No under training Country of training

Neurology 2 South Africa

Plastic Reconstruction Surgery 1 South Africa

Emergency Medicine 1 South Africa

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) 1 Zimbabwe

Orthopedic Surgery 1 South Africa

Maxillo-Facial Surgery 1 South Africa

TOTAL 39

Current Priority Specialization Needs

Family Medicine

Ophthalmology

Orthopedic Surgery

Urology

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Obstetric and Gynecology

Pathology

Dermatology/Dermato-

Venerology

Maxilo-facial Surgery

Neurology

Nuclear Medicine

Anesthesiology

Internal Medicine

Oncology

Emergency Medicine

(Casualty

Radiology

Achievements Nineteen (19) doctors completed specialization in

various study fields during the last ten years.

Two Doctors completed sub-specialization in

Infectious diseases, and Anesthesiology during the

last ten years.

Two doctors who successfully completed

Specialization were offered to do Sub-specialization

in Surgery.

Challenges The training of specialists is costly and lengthy as

some doctors request for extension of the study

period.

Difficulty to secure placement as Registrars.

Some doctors are dropping out due to various

challenges.

THANK YOU .