Category: General

Windhoek - The Namibia Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has announced a temporary cap on annual contribution increases for medical aid funds, limiting them to a maximum of 9.99 percent. This decision, detailed in a statement released on Friday, comes as a response to escalating medical aid contribution rates and aims to balance member well-being with the sustainability of the industry.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Namfisa's decision follows the registrar's observations of discrepancies between actual and forecasted solvency figures in medical aid funds over the past three to four years. These variances have often led to adjustments in contribution rates and benefits for members, raising concerns about the funds' solvency forecasts during the 2024 Rule Amendment Approval process.

Kenneth Matomola, CEO of Namfisa, stated that in light of rising healthcare costs, the authority encourages medical aid funds to seek innovative solutions to lessen financial strains on individuals and families. Matomola emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between medical service providers and administrators to establish a new balance of affordability and sustainability in pricing.

The CEO highlighted the potential of technology in enhancing the efficiency of the medical aid industry. He urged funds and administrators to adopt automation, modernization, and data analysis technologies. These advancements could streamline operations, improve fraud management, and reduce administrative expenses, benefiting both members and service providers.

Namfisa also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the sector, advocating for the adoption of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) coding structure by 2025. This standardized system is expected to improve pricing accuracy, enable detailed trend analysis, enhance fraud detection, and support efforts to reduce over-servicing.

Namfisa has set a deadline of 20 March 2024 for medical aid funds to submit additional contribution increase applications, accompanied by realistic strategies for long-term sustainability.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (French: ANSM) and Algeria's National Agency for Pharmaceutical Products (ANPP). The agreement provides for cooperation, the exchange of expertise and the identification of needs in medicines and training. The signing ceremony was held as part of a working session which involved Health Minister Ali Mrabet and Algerian Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production Ali Aoun. The meeting was an opportunity to focus on the various facets of cooperation in structuring pharmaceutical industries. The two officials explored avenues to build on thev respctive experiences of the two countries in a bid to support joint investments, meet national medicinal product needs and improve opportunities of exportation and foreign investments. Mrabet said there is willingness to develop the pharmaceutical system in Tunisia, increase investments and give impetus to research and innovation. It is crucial to foster a common vision of the future to establish a fruitful cooperation with Algeria, notably with the full establishment of the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products. The Algerian minister is leading a delegation on a two-day working visit to Tunisia. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Seed producers have been urged to focus on the meticulous process involved in producing high quality seeds. They must place greater emphasis on factors such as generic purity, viability and disease resistance in the production process. Dr Priscilla Francisco Ribeiro, Senior Research Scientists and Maize Breeder at the Crop Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSRI), who made the call, said ensuring seed production and certification protocols, were critical in maintaining quality standards and assuring farmers of seed quality. Speaking at a day's refresher workshop on quality seed production and certification techniques for maize seed producers in the Ashanti region, she pointed out that, quality seed production and certification were critical in boosting agricultural productivity and food security. The workshop was organised by the Ghana Seed Inspection Division of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and CRI, under the maize seed systems project. It was aimed at strengthening the capabilities of seed system actors such as seed companies and other seed multipliers to produce and deliver increase quantities of quality seed of improved varieties. Dr Ribeirio said to realise a potential yield, hybrid seed production must be factored in seed production to set high and better yield. This would help increase productivity in the agricultural sector. Reverend Dr John Manu, Ashanti Regional Directors of Agriculture, said unwholesome seed had devastating effect on crop production. He stressed the need for the government to consider alternatives in producing seeds, especially the hybrid seeds. He added that that Ghanaians must set their priorities right and give serious attention to agricultural production. Rev. Dr Manu said though the phase two of the Planting for Food and Jobs encourages the expansion of crop production by farmers, the government was yet to subsidize seed for planting. He pointed out that r aw materials needed for the one district one factory projects could not be produced without the production and cultivation of quality seeds. Source: Ghana News Agency

West Africa's regional court, ECOWAS Court of Justice, is participating in a two-day capacity building seminar organised by the Pan African Lawyers' Union (PALU), aimed at advancing strategies for the implementation of decisions of regional courts. In his keynote remarks, Mr Apraku Nketiah who is Head of Legal Services and Research at the ECOWAS Court of Justice said, 'all regional human rights mechanisms have expressed concern over ensuring that their views, decisions, and judgments are made effective and that remedies are afforded to the victims of human rights violations.' Mr Nketiah added that prompt and comprehensive enforcement of judgments of the Court was an indication of the adherence to the rule of law and effective justice delivery in the region. The seminar is to build the capacities of relevant stakeholders to better understand existing challenges in implementing decisions of regional courts, foster stronger collaborative networks, and outline practical strategies for advocating, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of human rights decisions on the continent. Other guests who delivered remarks at the opening ceremony included Ms PraiseGod Millen Joseph, Programme Officer at PALU, Mr Gilford Kimathi from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Mr Chidiebere Nwabueze from the West African Bar Association, and Mrs Rabi A. Anwar from the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria. Barrister Gaye Sowe, Registrar in charge of Appeals and Enforcement of Judgments at the ECOWAS Court and Dr Chris Nyinevi, Executive Assistant to the President of the ECOWAS Court will be making presentations at the Seminar. The seminar which takes place from 7 - 8 December 2023 is bringing together key stakeholders particularly from the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights and civil society organisations including human rights NGOs and bar associations. The theme for this year's seminar is Advancing Human Rights Through Effective Implementation of Decisions of Regional Courts - Ampl ifying Voices of Key Stakeholders. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Oti Regional House of Chiefs has called on all factions involved in the Nkwanta South conflict to join forces with the government and other key stakeholders in resolving the dispute that has plagued the area. The Regional House of Chiefs reminded the warring factions to settle their misunderstandings using dialogue and not weapons. The House said many Adeles, Challas and Akyodes had inter-married and had nurtured good families, maintaining that such good family relationships should not be destroyed. The Regional House of Chiefs led by its President, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, emphasized in a statement that without peace, Nkwanta South would not experience the much-needed development it deserves. The Regional House of Chiefs called on all people benefiting from the clashes, being it chiefs and political actors, to stop immediately as there are no lasting gains to achieve, as violence has never been a positive means to an end. It also appealed to the parties and their Supporters that they should remain calm and immediately cease any reprisal attacks which have already recorded unfortunate deaths in the Area. Again, the Regional House of Chiefs advised all residents of Nkwanta being its chiefs, indigenes, and settlers to allow peace to reign in the town. The House recommended to all residents to see the next-door neighbor as a brother, sister, cousin, mother, father, uncle, auntie, and grandparent. Source: Ghana News Agency