02 Oct 2017

Plans are underway for Seronga Clinic to provide a 24-hour service in the next financial year.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Seronga, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Ms Shenaaz El-Halabi said accommodation for staff was still a challenge, but promised to elevate the clinic to a 24-hour facility in the next financial year if staff housing could be secured.

She pointed out that the ministry had planned to increase vehicles and midwives at the clinic, considering the upgrading of Shakakwe Primary Hospital.

She said currently the facility had one ambulance and the ministry intended to provide one more.

“We are expecting some ambulances this year and I will make sure one comes to Seronga Clinic,” she stated.

Ms El-Halabi also explained that the ministry was intending to bring two more midwives to bring the number of midwives working at the clinic to four.

She acknowledged that ambulance boats had not been functioning for some time, but promised that they would be repaired and going forward, the ministry would come up with a maintenance plan.

Earlier on, the Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Kgakololo Kariopa stated that two midwives were overwhelmed by the work load, especially when one of them was on leave.

He however thanked government for connecting electricity at the clinic and introducing ARV programme at the clinic, saying patients now access treatment nearer.

He welcomed developments undertaken in the district such as construction of the bridge and post office, which would soon be officially opened.

Mr Kariopa also appreciated government programmes such as LIMID and Botswana Meat Commission for buying their cattle at better prices.

He pointed out that the Department of Wildlife and National Parks came up with an arrangement to assist with burial of people killed by wildlife and thanked government for that.

However, he called on government to increase resources and staff at the department of wildlife, noting that some officers had long been transferred, but were not replaced.

Mr Kariopa also stated that residents of Jao Flats had shown interest in rearing livestock.

In response, the district agricultural coordinator, Mr Obert Mabutha explained that it was impossible to rear livestock at Jao Flats because there were a lot of wildlife carrying Foot and Mouth Disease.

He said experts had indicated that it was risky to keep livestock in the area.

Jao Flats is a concession area situated in the Northwestern of the Okavango Delta.

The area is considered to be one of the most scenic sites in the delta and is prone to floods. It also has many wildlife species. ENDS