14 Mar 2013

Kalamare residents have requested for an ambulance at the village clinic.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri they said the old ambulance was boarded in 2012 and there was no replacement.

The chairperson of the Village Development Committee (VDC), Mr Moagiemang Mpho said an ambulance was essential at the local clinic. Therefore, he requested the assistant minister to seek one for the clinic.

And Mr Mpho said the clinic did not have a maternity wing, something which put expectant mothers’ health in danger.

He said the village had grown and therefore requested that there be a maternity wing to assist villagers and expectant mothers from the neighbouring villages who sought help at the clinic.

For his part, Assistant Minister Matlhabaphiri said acute shortage of ambulances was a widespread problem due the past economic recession. He noted that the takeover of clinic by the central government also exacerbated the problem saying most of the ambulances were not in good condition.

Most of the ambulances, he said, were boarded and the ministry was not given enough funds to repair or replace boarded ambulances.

He said the ministry had been given the permission to use private garages for repairs instead of the Central Transport Organisation

He stated that the ministry had acquired some vehicles, which were distributed to the District Health Management Teams to improve the situation. In addition, Mr Matlhabaphiri urged men to circumcise and test for different aliments to be treated on time.

On the issue of the maternity wing, he said Kalamare was nearer Mahalapye adding that the ministry intended to have a maternity wing where services were not available thereby forcing patients to travel long distances.

One of the residents, Mr Buang Ditsile said they were disturbed by poor service causing unnecessary delays.

Mr Ditsile said patients took time unattended which worsend their health conditions. ENDS