13 Mar 2013

Parliament has been informed that five incidents have been reported since 2010 where members of staff and patients were attacked by thieves or intruders at the Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital.

Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said it was worth noting that all the five cases were reported in the last six months.

Mr Matlhabaphiri said those concerns were raised with the current security company, which accounted for all the damages.

Parliament heard that a new security company, which would start work from March 16, had been made aware of those attacks for them to close the identified gaps of the outgoing security company.

“The new company will contractually be liable for any attacks and damages”, he said.

In addition, the assistant minister said only three gates would be used with registers for all incoming and outgoing visitors, while the use of hospital identity cards by all staff would be mandatory.

Mr Matlhabaphiri was responding to a question asked by Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi.

MP Mmolotsi asked the minister to state the number of reported incidents where members of staff and patients were attacked by thieves or intruders at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital since 2010.

He also wanted the minister to shed light on what he was doing to ensure uncompromised security for staff and patients. ENDS