22 Feb 2013

All medical social welfare conditions including combat stress are budgeted for under the relevant votes in the Botswana Defence Force.

Responding to a parliamentary question on Thursday, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, said both BDF and the Botswana Police Service regularly conducted counselling and stress management workshops and seminars for their employees through chaplaincy and social welfare departments.

Minister Masisi said former BDF personnel would be attended to at national facilities while those who might have separated from the BDF for medical reasons might continue to get assistance from the army facilities.

He said the situation at the Botswana Police Service was similar to that of the BDF.

Gaborone West North MP, Mr Robert Masitara had asked what funding the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security provided for combat stress.

He had also wanted to know whether the minister accepted referrals from former BDF and police personnel who had problems with abuse of alcohol and drug abuse. ENDS