Due diligence and service for ministry of health and social welfare

From 1990 until 2017 Lydia Nashixwa graced the ministry of health and social services with her presence. Nashixwa’s journey in the ministry started immediately after Independence, when she moved from her hometown Walvis Bay to seek employment.

Nashixwa explains that upon arrival at the ministry of health her position at the time was a personnel assistant and has since worked her way up throughout the years until eventually being promoted to deputy director: human resource until 2017 when she ultimately retired. During her time as the deputy director and human resource manager Nashixwa coordinated the functions of human resources officers in all 14 regions successfully, and managed the human resource activities, at national level Katutura Intermediate Hospital, Khomas Regional Directorate as well as Windhoek Central Hospital.

She further explains that her desire for the ministry was fuelled during the time of her studies at the University of London, known as Polytechnic of South Bank at that time. “During my study I was attached to various hospitals in London to put theory into practice and this was very interesting to me. Upon completion of my study and due to my developed interest, I only applied for employment in the ministry of health and social services for which I worked until my retirement.”

Nashixwa’s growth in the ministry over the years was backed up by an impressive education background which she developed while still at the ministry. Nashixwa holds a long list of qualifications:

• Diploma in Management and Development Studies (United Nations Institute of Namibia (1986 ). Lusaka, Zambia.

• Diploma in Hospital and Health Administration ( Polytechnic of South Bank UK) ( 1989)

• Certificate in Industrial Relations (Misconduct) Namibia 1997).

• Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Studies. (University of Manchester (UK). (2000)

• Certificate in Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (INTAN) -Institute of Public Administration (Malysia 2004).

• Certificate in Senior Management Development Programme (University of Stellenbosch) SA (2014).

With her most recent qualification being a Masters of Business Administration from the Management College of Southern Africa in 2021.

However, despite describing herself to have good interpersonal relation skills, like any the other department she has faced some challenges and obstacles during her career. Nashixwa says financial constraints were the major obstacles that hindered some of the annual work plan to be achieved. “The technical support visit to the regions could no longer take place due to financial constraints. Some of the vacancies could not be filled and salary adjustment was hampered and could no longer be effective as per the introduction of Wages and Salary Structure Commission (WASCOM).”

In conclusion had evidently loved and enjoyed the misconduct hearings, “when the accused is represented by a lawyer. Lawyers tend to threaten or confuse the proceedings. I however used to tell them that, this is not a court where you find a person guilty beyond reasonable doubt, this is administrative measures were one can be found guilty based on balanced of probabilities.

“The ministry in most cases could win despite the Lawyer representing his/her client. Every day I was gaining knowledge and experience on something new so I had no regrets at all. I am therefore encouraging the youth whose careers are in the ministry of health and social services to not hesitate to take over.”