06 Mar 2018

Ministry of Health and Wellness will procure 75 ambulances during 2018/2019 financial year to address shortage of ambulances in health posts across the country.

Health and wellness assistant minister, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele said when responding to MPs’ comments on the ministry’s 2018/2019 budget proposals he presented before parliament on March.

He assured MPs that the ministry would deliver on its promise for construction of new hospitals, as per NDP 11, explaining that postponing a project to another financial year did not mean the ministry had phased it out completely.

Mr Makgalemele also admitted that there was shortage of specialists in the country, saying “specialists are not readily available in the market, but the ministry continues to recruit more specialists and we are currently expecting 50 specialists from China and Cuba.”

Given the current challenge of shortage of blood in the country, Mr Makgalemele appealed to MPs to encourage their constituents to continue donating blood.

He also admitted that patient care had declined in health facilities, adding that the issue was a major concern and the ministry was currently addressing the concern.

Regarding shortage of condoms in the country, he said there were currently 929 600 condoms, adding that the ministry was expecting an additional 4 million condoms soon.

Additionally, he said about 18 million condoms would be purchased in this year to address shortage of condoms across the country.

He also noted that, resource permitting, and with the help of private sector, the ministry would consider providing students with free sanitary pads.

Given the high demand of health practitioners internationally, Mr Makgalemele said this posed a serious challenge for the ministry, as a lot of staff left for greener pastures.

Therefore, to address the matter, he said the ministry was considering submitting proposal for a unique and separate pay structure for its health practitioners and urged MPs to support the proposal, once brought before parliament.

Mochudi West MP, Mr Gilbert Mangole had complained about postponement of the district hospital that the ministry promised to construct in Kgatleng, saying this was unfair.

Tonota South MP, Mr Thapelo Olopeng decried shortage of ambulances, hypertension pills and basic clinical services in his constituency.

Mahalapye East MP, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, applauded the ministry for succeeding in addressing illnesses such as; measles and diarrhea.

Ms Tshireletso however complained that there was shortage of condoms in the country.

She also noted that there was need for a rehabilitation centre for people with mental health problems.

Leader of Opposition and also Gaborone Bonnington North MP, Mr Duma Boko said the entire health ministry was characterised by offering standardised low quality service and products, with a serious shortage of drugs in a lot of health facilities.

Thamaga/Kumakwane MP, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said Thamaga Hospital was in a bad condition and needed to be refurbished as it was currently not conducive for health care.

Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao expressed disappointment on the ministry’s priorities for the 2018/2019 financial year, saying some projects did not deserve to be given priority over others.

Mr Molao said there was not enough health posts in his constituency, adding that some clinics in his area needed to be upgraded.

Tlokweng MP, Mr Masego Segokgo, acknowledged the ministry’s efforts in addressing shortage of blood in the country, saying this was a serious concern and more still needed to be done in terms of collections.

Mr Segokgo also raised a concern about high numbers of maternal and infant mortality, as well as shortage of medications and protective clothing in health facilities. ENDS