14 Feb 2017

The Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness says he is aware that some staff members working in some Safari camps in the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta who need medical attention are consulted telephonically by the company nurses resident in Maun, who prescribe medication to staff through medically untrained camp managers.
Mr Dikgang Makgalemele said this when responding to a question from the MP for Chobe, Mr Machana Shamukuni on Monday, who wanted to know if the minister was aware of the practice.
The assistant minister said this came to light in 2016, and the managing director of the affected Safari camps was subsequently contacted in the same month by phone and in writing to warn him to stop the practice as it was in gross violation of medical ethics and against the law.
“He was advised to identify a registered health personnel qualified and licensed to deliver the services,” he said.
Mr Makgalemele further said the practice was not allowed by the ministry, as it was unethical, unlawful and in violation of the patients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality, adding that they were currently working with the respective District Health Management Teams to ensure compliance.
The assistant minister further told Parliament that the practice does infringe on the doctor-patient confidentiality. “It is also not allowed for the employer to have access to the health information of the employee,” he said.
The Chobe legislator had asked the minister if he was aware of a practice whereby staff who need medical attention in some Safari camps in the Chobe National Park, and the Okavang Delta are consulted telephonically by the company nurses resident in Maun, who prescribe medication to staff through medically untrained camp managers.
MP Shamukuni also wanted to know whether such a practice was allowed by the ministry and if it does not infringe on the doctor-patient confidentiality where a third party in the form of a medically untrained manager is involved. ENDS