21 Mar 2017

Charleshill Clinic will be upgraded to a primary hospital during the financial year 2017/18 under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

Charleshill Sub-district council chairperson, Mr Alec Motlhophele told a sub-council meeting recently that the polyclinic would have a 20 bed capacity, 10 for maternity and 10 for general patients.

He said the polyclinic facility would be accompanied by 25 staff houses both to be done under the ESP.

“This is a welcome development as it will reduce trips travelled to Ghanzi Primary Hospital for patient referrals,” he said.

He said they have noticed that the District Health Management Team (DHMT) had not been able to service the mobile stops due to vehicle breakdowns.

Mr Motlhophele said the situation was expected to be addressed following the arrival of two new vehicles in November last while two new ambulances were expected this month.

He said there was worry following the recent outbreak of diarrhoea at New Xanagas and Metsimantsho in December 2016 and February 2017 respectively.

The sub-council chairperson expressed satisfaction that there was no death recorded in the two outbreaks while the DHMT remained vigilant to deal with any disease that may arise as a result of the recent torrential rains such as malaria.

He said they have recently been alerted by the Botswana High Commission office in Namibia of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever following the death of a 26-year-old male in connection with the disease at Gobabis- Omahake region on February 22.

He said the DHMT was also alert especially at the border post, urging councillors to share the message with community members. ENDS