17 Apr 2013

Nine patients were air-lifted from Tsabong Primary Hospital to Princess Marina in the last 12 months, Parliament has been told.

Answering a question, health assistant minister, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said the air lifted patients were brought to Princess Marina Hospital on emergencies and were attended immediately.

Mr Matlhabaphiri further said Tsabong Primary Hospital did not have an intensive care unit, hence no death occurred in the intensive care. He said all patients needing such a service were referred to Princess Marina.

Mr Matlhabaphiri added that the total number of patients admitted at Tsabong Primary Hospital in the last 12 months was 1 733. He also said the total number of children born at home from January 2012 to December 2012 was 16, while those delivered at Tsabong Primary Hospital at the same period were 526.

“There are many reasons from home deliveries such as precipitated labour process, some women still prefer to deliver at home for reasons best known to them, some are a result of inadequate knowledge on the importance of institutional deliveries,” he added.

Kgalagadi South MP, Mr John Toto had asked the minister to state the number of patients under intensive care who were air-lifted from Tsabong Primary Hospital to Princess Marina Hospital in the last 12 months, the number of patients who died under intensive care in the last 12 months and the total number of patients hospitalised in the last 12 months.

Mr Toto also wanted the minsiter to state the average time taken for air-lifted patients to be attended to when they reached Princess Marina Hospital, the number of children born at their homes vis-à-vis the number of those born at Tsabong Primary Hospital and the reason why some children were delivered at home. ENDS