06 Sep 2016

South East District Councillors have pleaded with government to increase grants given to mission hospitals around the country.

  The councillors said due to budgetary constraints, mission hospitals were failing to provide satisfactorily for their patients.

 They made the plea when debating a motion by Councillor for Magopane, Mr Kgabo Mabotseng which requested that grants for mission hospitals be increased.

   Mr Mabotseng said money given to mission hospitals was often too low hence it was difficult for such hospitals to carry out their obligations.

   He cited the Bamalete Lutheran Hospital, saying it faced acute shortage of funds which led to shortage of blankets for patients.

 He said the situation became disheartening during winter as patients ended up bringing blankets from their homes.

  Those from afar places would have no one bringing blankets for them and ended up being exposed to chilly temperatures.

   Therefore, he said if grants were increased the hospital would be able to buy blankets for their patients.

   They also emphasised the need to improve services in hospitals in order to try and bridge the huge gap between private hospitals and public hospitals.

   Another councillor, Mr Borata Mosomane supported the call for increased funding across mission hospitals, adding that various machines at Bamalete Lutheran Hospital were always on and off due to maintenance challenges.

   Mr Mosomane added that such machines took long time to be up and running.

 The motion was passed without any objection from the councillors. ENDS