27 Feb 2013

The Ministry of Health has deployed at least one rehabilitation officer per district to cater for the needs of all institutions including schools and clinics.

The  Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri, said this when responding to a question from Shoshong MP, Mr Phillip Makgalemele.

Mr Matlhabaphiri said this was meant to ensure accessibility to rehabilitation services. He added that rehabilitation officers were either housed in the District Health Management Team (DHMTs) or health facilities.  “Currently, Mahalapye DHMT, where Shoshong constituency falls, has one rehabilitation officer and we do not have a vacant position for this cadre,” he said

Mr Matlhabaphiri said due to the limited number of rehabilitation officers countrywide, rehabilitation services were also rendered by other related health care providers such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, health education assistants, community health nurses and community mental health nurses.

“Shoshong constituency has 10 health education assistants who assist rehabilitation officers,” he said. Furthermore, the assistant minister said the needs of people with disabilities varied and for that reason, different stakeholders were involved in their care and support, hence the multi sectoral National Policy on Care for People with Disabilities of 1996.

He also added that health care services towards people with disabilities were integrated into the general health care system and were offered either in the local health facilities or referred to the next levels.  “Outreach services are also undertaken. For non-health care services, people with disabilities are referred to relevant departments such as social services and special education,” he said.

Furthermore, he said there was also the National Coordinating Office for People with Disabilities that was responsible for coordinating disability issues in the country. Mr Makgalemele had wanted the minister to state his ministry’s strategy of availing rehabilitation officers for people living with disabilities in clinics and schools.

He also wanted the minister to state the establishment register for such institutions in the Shoshong constituency and the vacant posts as applicable as well as the immediate support he availed to people living with disabilities and the frequency of such support given their vulnerability. ENDS