Shinana’s commitment to family and emergency care
A life built on love, dedication, hard work
Selma Shinana is an emergency care practitioner, a role she approaches with expertise and a strong foundation in intermediate life support and health care service management.
Selma Shinana’s aspirations began in Ohalushu, Ohangwena Region. Raised by her paternal aunt, Shinana grew up surrounded by love, learning strength and kindness from her cherished mentor.
“I am, at heart, a village girl—a humble, soft-spoken soul,” she said.
Family
Beyond her career, Shinana is a devoted wife and mother of three.
She shares a deep bond with her husband, who supports her in raising their children in a home filled with warmth, laughter, and mutual support.
“Creating a home with love and guidance is a joy we hold dear,” she said.
Empowering her community
Known in business circles as 'Madam Hustle', Shinana has built a name as an entrepreneur.
Her work is a dedication to creating opportunities for herself and others, taking pride in each connection she makes.
“Each door-to-door interaction fuels my ambition to help others make a difference, no matter how small,” she said.
Role at MVA Fund
Professionally, Shinana is an emergency care practitioner, a role she approaches with expertise and a strong foundation in intermediate life support and health care service management.
Her passion for learning has also led her to obtain diplomas in human resource management and junior primary education.
This commitment began in April 2011 when she joined the fund as a basic life support worker at Omuthiya Base.
Today, she works as a case coordinator at Windhoek’s Emergency Communication Centre, where she manages critical responses and coordinates life-saving interventions.
"My day starts before dawn," Shinana said.
Daily tasks
She fields emergency calls, gathers crucial information, and arranges vital patient transfers.
Her role involves coordinating closely with hospitals, doctors, and paramedics, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
Leading daily operations at the ECC, she emphasises teamwork and brings her sense of organisation to every task, balancing empathy with efficiency.
Shinana said that resilience is one of her greatest strengths.
Although her work can be emotionally demanding, especially when it involves young lives, she finds solace in helping those in need.
Memory lane
Looking back, Selma reflects on a life built on love, dedication, and hard work. Her journey, from a village in Ohalushu to a life of service, is a testament to the power of resilience and the guidance of those who came before her.
Advice to the youth
Her advice to young professionals? “Stay committed. Success is a journey that requires patience and passion,” she concluded.