12 May 2014

The national health quality standards guidelines for Ministry of Health are still a new development that will take time to be adopted in health facilities across the country.


Speaking at the National Health Quality Standards Awareness campaign on  May 9, Dr Kgosi Mompati from Riverside hospital said the introduction of the standards was a step forward as it would provide efficiency and high quality health services in the country.



He however noted that the country is still facing financial constraints hence the need for the public, especially the private sector to bear with them.


Dr Mompati further pleaded with the ministry to be aware of their challenges in health facilities before making the standards compulsory.



He said they will fail to follow the health standards due to infrastructural deficiencies because the buildings among some health facilities were constructed before the standards were made.



Another panelist, Ms Didimalang Bukha from Nyangabgwe Referral hospital complained about few resources in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) section, stating that they are also short in staffing.



She further said they are struggling to provide health services to their clients in time due to lack of transport, especially in areas beyond a 30 kilometres radius of Francistown.



Ms Bukha further complained about lack of housing for the EMS personnel, where they could wait for emergency calls, noting that they are currently working under a small one roomed house in Donga clinic.



She appealed to the director of Inspectorate in the Ministry of Health to assist them in finding a suitable space where they can operate from. Ends