02 Jul 2014

Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital superintendent, Dr Maxwell Mungisi says efforts have been made to control cockroaches that recently invaded the hospital.

Responding to some concerns raised by councillors, he said they had engaged a private company to control the insects, noting that at the moment everything was under control.

He stated that some of the factors that attracted the cockroaches were large the community living in the premises and food coming from all directions pointing out that this contributed to good breeding of the insects.

Regarding shortage of blankets, Dr Mungisi dismissed those allegations noting that they had plenty of blankets at the hospital.

He said officers knew where to get blankets if patients needed more. “I believe some certain individuals are not doing their job right and I assure the public that action would be taken against people who fail to adequately execute their duties,” he warned.

Councillors also complained about shortage of drugs in health facilities, saying at times patients were made to run around to look for medication in other facilities.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr John Seakgosing informed councillors that no patient should be asked to go around looking for drugs, as that would be in contravention of the ministry’s position.

He called on the district health authorities to ensure that the trend is stopped immediately, adding that whenever there are drug shortages in public health facilities, it

is the duty of the health personnel to look for them in other facilities and not patients.
The Minister observed that his ministry has been inundated with complaints that patients are made to go around looking for drugs.

“You should be serious with this issue and make sure you avail any kind of treatment needed.It is your duty to call other clinics or warehouses and order drugs,” he added.

Dr Seakgosing informed councillors that construction of Gumare and Shakawe primary hospitals are underway. He pleaded with the councillors to be patient, noting that the facilities would have 70 beds capacity.

He said the projects are included in NDP10. The Minister also noted that his ministry continues to endeavour in electrification of health facilities and staff houses.

In 2012/13 financial year, 19 facilities were paid for, including seven facilities in North West District; Seronga, Beetsha, Xakao, Kareng, Bodibeng, Tsau and Makalamabedi.  

Four facilities out of seven were connected; Makalamabedi, Tsau, Kareng staff house, and Bodibeng.

He said for 2013/14 Botswana Power Corporation was paid to connect 97 facilities comprising of 36 health facilities and 61 staff houses and North West was not included among them.

During this financial year (2014/15) 98 facilities were paid for among them seven facilities in North West District at Gudigwa, Gunutsoga, Kauxwi, Mogotho, Ngarange, Sekondomboro, and Sepopa old Health Post including staff houses.

The plan is to have all these facilities connected by December 2014, he said. Ends