27 Mar 2014

The Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolekae has told Parliament that her ministry is aware that there are some health workers who still refer some patients to other health facilities if they do not have specific medicines in their clinics.

Responding to a question in Parliament, she said health workers had been warned to stop sending patients to other clinics if they did not have specific drugs in stock. She said management of DHMT was required to hold Botsogo Pitso to respond to concerns that the community might have concerning provision of health care.

Dr Somolekae said to address the shortage of drugs in clinics and hospitals, Central Medical Stores was intensifying procurement efforts and also utilising two to three year frame-work contracts for procurement of most medicines.

She said the South East DHMT was negotiating with Botswana Police Service to secure their warehouse in Otse and this would make it possible for them to keep larger quantities of drugs for distribution to the health facilities within the district.

MP for South East North, Mr Odirile Motlhale had asked the minister if she was aware that despite the ministry’s policy that no patients should be asked to go and check for their prescription drugs in other clinics or hospitals when not available at point of consultation.

He also wanted to know what the ministry is doing to arrest both this situation and the shortage of drugs in clinics and hospitals. Ends