09 Jun 2014

Ngamiland private health practitioners have called on government to create a harmonious environment in order to enhance the credibility of health sector in the district.

They made the plea during a meeting on Saturday, June 7 organised by District Health Management Team (DHMT) to review the role of private medical practitioners and private pharmacists in the district.

The practitioners also observed that a good working relationship was imperative for the health sector to fulfill its aspiration of providing competitive health services. In order to fight diseases such as Malaria and Diarrhea, the private professionals emphasised the importance of private-public partnership.

In addition, they urged the public health practitioners to re-visit some health policies noting that some policies hindered their efforts to provide quality health service. For example, the practitioners said it was unfair for the government to charge patients who had been referred to public health facilities to conduct some special tests or X-rays.

They said money charged prevented progression of health care as some patients could not afford to pay. Moreover, the private practitioners pointed out that patients were forced to join the queue and suggested that they should be given priority.

Responding to their concerns, public health specialist who is also the coordinator of DHMT, Dr Christopher Chembe explained that they treated patients equally in public facilities. He urged private practitioners to communicate if they needed clarifications on health issues adding that by so doing, they could come up with a system that works for all.

He also stated that the system could also assist to reduce the waiting time in health facilities. Dr Chembe also urged the private practitioners to complement the ministry of health’s efforts to promote the use of national quality standards.

He said the national standards serve as a catalyst for change and create the foundation upon which they can propel the health sector to greater heights in meeting the needs and expectations of clients.

Furthermore, Dr Chembe informed private practitioners that successful implementation of the standards requires both the public and private healthcare sector to ensure quality and safety of all services.

Letsholathebe Memorial hospital superintendent, Dr Maxwell Mungisi explained that patients referred to public health facilities and those who subscribe to any medical aid are charged same prices as of private facilities

For those who are not on medical aid, Dr Mungisi said they pay P5 as other public patients.

He observed that at the moment they do not have a system in place to track those on medical aid but indicated that they are in the process to come up with the system.

Head of Prevention, Ms Gasebotho Kedikilwe gave an update of the district profile noting that the district has 11 clinics, 87 mobile clinics, 18 health posts, eight private clinics, one private hospital and one district hospital with 124 nurses and 13 specialists. Ends