23 Nov 2014

The Assistant Minister of Health Dr Alfred Madigele has told parliament that the revision of the Shakawe Primary Hospital designs to ensure compliance with Botswana Standards and guidelines for hospitals (BSGH) and the Council for Health Service Accreditation of South Africa (COHSASA) standards was the main cause of the delay in the construction of this hospital.

Dr Madigele stated in Parliament yesterday that the revisions were necessary to facilitate accreditation upon its completion and that there was also a need to increase the bed capacity and services from the old design

He said taking in to consideration the need to revise designs, they had not been able to meet the September 2014 date that was set to commence construction.

He said they were now at design stage four and were expected to have gone to tender by August next year.

The assistant minister further stated that the proposed contract duration for the construction of the hospital was projected to take about 24 months if all goes according to schedule.

He said the staff housing and civil works tender report was with PPADB and that the contractor was expected to be on site during the first quarter of next year.

He said the proposed contract duration for housing was 12 months if all goes accordingly.

MP for Okavango Mr Bagalatia Arone had asked him to explain what led to the delay in constructing the Shakawe Primary Hospital despite the minister’s assurance to parliament. ENDS