16 Mar 2017

The collapse of Village Health Committee (VHC) in Otse is working against the achievements made in the health sector.

The Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele said this during a kgotla meeting in Otse .

He expressed disappointment that Otse VHC had collapsed despite the fact that the committees were crucial in the wellbeing of the community.

Mr Makgalemele explained that though the health sector played a role, the bulk of the responsibility was with the community.

He appealed to Otse residents to resuscitate the committees and also adopt positive lifestyles.

Mr Makgalemele advised the community to take care of their lives saying often when patients were given sick offs, they engaged in other activities and errands disregarding the doctor’s advice.

He encouraged them to exercise, eat fruits, vegetables and avoid excessive alcohol consumption and other drugs.

For his part, Village Development Committee (VDC) representative, Mr Benjamin Noga said the village had embraced wellness as they often engaged in fitness activities such as aerobics and mountain hiking.

Mr Noga futher said the Community Acting Together to Fight HIV (CATCH) programme was doing well in their area but was troubled that TB cases were increasing at an alarming rate as well as drugs and substance abuse among students.

He also decried lack of recreational facilities in the village which resulted in young people spending much of their time in bars consuming alcohol.

Residents complained of being sent from one facility to another for medication.

Other comments included the call for the electrification of Lesetlhana Clinic while some complained that Otse Clinic was slow to act during emergency cases.

Kgosi Mothusi Tsetse of Otse said VHCs had long died noting that the clinic management was not supportive of the committees.

However, he said he would make efforts to resuscitate the committees as there were community members interested in joining them. ENDS