24 Feb 2015

Minister for Defence Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi says there is need for creation of a contributory Special Medical Aid for the elderly.

Debating Ministry of Health 2015/2016 budget proposal of P5.9 billion presented by Dorcus Makgato, Mr Kgathi suggested that in order to assist the elderly better in providing a good health care system, a Special contributory Medical Aid Fund for the elderly must be designed specifically to suit their health care needs.

Mr Kgathi, who is also Bobonong MP decried tedious process at Martins Drift Boarder post when one crosses to South Africa- Transvaal where one is expected to fill lengthy health forms which he said results in long queues and delays. 

He said there was need expand Bobonong Health facility to enable it to effectively serve the Bobonong population of over 20,000 people and about 50,000 people in the surrounding villages and settlements.

Mr Kgathi said to augment shortage of doctors in the area, the Ministry of Health should loosen up legislation on foreign doctors to allow those across the border post nearby to practice in the country.

Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Tshenolo Mabeo called for spontaneous visits by the Minister of Health to ensure that she gets the right picture of health facilities nationwide saying there is a tendency to prepare for the minister’s visit and give the wrong picture contrary to what the patients get. 

Mr Mabeo further said in order to improve the health services nationwide it is worth adopting creative means of delivering the health services to the people citing as an example a private company offering health services in Maun areas using a helicopter equipped with necessary resources and a medical doctor which enables it to reach patients in areas which could otherwise not be reached by road. 

He also called for progressive e-health interventions especially in emergency situations to enable patients to get services through other means. 

Molepolole North MP Mr Mohammed Khan who was in support of the budget called for a stronger health care system adding that drug availability in every health facility must be paid close attention to avoid situations where patients have to travel long distances to get drugs from other health facilities.

“There shortage of High blood pressure pills in our health facilities, these we cannot do without, they must be availed because a life may be lost,” he said.

Mr Khan requested that Boswelakoko Clinic in his constituency be turned into a 24 hour clinic and that his constituency needs at least six vehicles in order to meet the service demand.

For his part, Mogoditshane MP, Mr Sedirwa Kgoroba called for a removal of 30 percent tobacco levy which he said sufficient consultation on the part of government was not done before it was instituted.

“Almost 70 percent of tobacco price is levy, now imposing levy after levy can be detrimental to the economy, the ramifications of imposing such a levy can be dire,” he said, adding that this may give rise to illicit dealings.

On the contrary, Moshupa/Manyana MP and Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi welcomed tobacco levy adding that stringent regulations must be imposed on tobacco. He said Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) must be encouraged not to fund businesses who deal in tobacco.

Boteti East MP Mr Lelatisitswe Sethomo also supported the health budget proposal, saying patients in rural areas who are mostly elderly travel long distances to health facilities, “There are no ambulances, Madam Minister please look into this issue,” he said. 

Maun East MP Mr Markus Kostantinos called for upgrading of health posts in his constituency adding that there was no electricity. He also said Sankoyo Clinic must be upgraded to include maternity services because sometimes patients give birth along the way before they reach Letsholathebe hospital.

For his part, Selibe Phikwe MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said Selibe Phikwe has over 58,000 people but there were not enough heath resources such as ambulances to meet the demand. He also said there were not enough resources for Dental Clinic adding that was need include them in the next financial year budget. 

He said to effectively deal with human resource issues in the health sector, there was need to de-link it from government, “De-link health services from DPSM and make it an independent entity,” he said. ENDS