22 May 2013

Lack of interest by staff members of various departments and inadequate funds for wellness activities is a major concern, says Okavango wellness focal persons.

The focal persons raised this issue at a one day meeting recently hosted by the District AIDS Committee (DAC) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD)’s wellness/AIDS coordinators. 

One of the focal persons from the Department of Engineering and Building Services (DBES), Mr Elemang Ramooketsi said that most of the staff is not committed and it is like some are being pushed to take part, especially on wellness activities.

District Health Management Team (DHMT) representative in Gumare, Ms Boitumelo Salepito also said that there is lack of commitment, adding that the funds given were not enough, especially after the Ministry of Health absorbed clinics.

Speaking with BOPA in an interview on May 20, MLGRD’s wellness coordinator from Gaborone, Ms Setho Ramafifi applauded Okavango focal persons to have such a forum. 

She said that it showed dedication and commitment in what they want to do even though they face challenges.

Ms Ramafifi further said that they should educate their colleagues that wellness serves as part of them. “We spend most of the time at work therefore, it is important for every employee to take wellness as their responsibility, know that it starts with you.’’ He urged.

In order to improve the situation in the district, the focal persons reached an agreement that they will have interdepartmental workplace wellness committee meetings in both Gumare and Shakawe.

They also proposed that DACs address staff in different departments. The DAC, Mr Morongwa Dikgang pointed out that from the sampled departments, they were approximately 875 employees in the region.

Different staff representatives from departments of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Youth, District Administration (DA) and others also raised the same concern, including technical support and poor coordination. ENDS