27 Jul 2014

The Satar Dada Foundation and motor industry company, Motorvac, have offered to build six clinics to alleviate the current shortage.

The clinics would be constructed in Mmopane, Mosetse, Nxamasere, Mokobeng, Kauxwi and Kumakwane in the not so distant future

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Kumakwane on July 24, the Minister of Health, Dr John Seakgosing said the donations were of great value to government especially that resources were scarce.

Dr Seakgosing said Mmopane and Kumakwane clinics would be the first to be constructed. He said the development would lessen the burden that had been on Kumakwane health post.

Also, he pointed out that the environmental assessment impact survey for the first two clinics were ongoing and the project would commence once the survey was completed.

Dr Seakgosing, who is the Member of Parliament for Kweneng West, also commended the people of Kumakwane for their patience, adding that the Satar Dada Foundation had a repute of building clinics of high standard.

On other health issues, Dr Seakgosing regretted that despite the availability of modern maternity facilities, it was evident that some people in Kumakwane deliver their babies at home.

He said since the beginning of the year, about seven home deliveries had been recorded and that was a cause for concern.

Minister Dr Seakgosing said home deliveries were dangerous for both the child and the mother especially when there were birth related complications.

Further, the minister told the resident that it was the responsibility of the health facility officials to ensure that patients had prescribed drugs.

He said in case drugs were not in stock at that particular health facility, it was the responsibility of the health officials to source drugs from other health facilities.

The minister further said the ministry has taken a decision to had drugs for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure availed at private pharmacies.

However, he pointed that such pharmacies must be owned by locals and the patient must have a card from the ministry which allows them to buy drugs from pharmacies on government account.

During comments, one of the residents, Mr Hill Selobi said they were buying drugs from private pharmacies as drugs were not always available in the health facilities.

Another resident Ms Francinah Simos requested for a doctor at the Kumakwane health post as well as a dentist.

However in response, Dr Seakgosing said there was currently shortage of doctors and nurses in the country.

He said although local Institutes of Health Sciences train nurses, majority of them did not necessarily join government owing to low salaries.

He also said medical doctors were leaving government for greener pastures, adding that from November to June about 25 doctors resigned. ENDS