21 Mar 2018

Ramotswa-based mission hospital, Bamalete Lutheran Hospital (BLH) has been put on the spotlight for allegations of corruption.

The hospital board chairperson and South East District Council chairperson, Mr Phenyo Segokgo said during the council session recently that the hospital was facing allegations of corruption, which had led to the board suspending some of the employees to pave way for investigations.

He said the suspensions did not anyhow imply that those suspended were involved in corruption, but it was way of facilitating proper investigations.

Mr Segokgo said Ministry of Health and Wellness had in the past called on the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Anti-Corruption Unit to assist with allegations of corruption at the hospital. He said DCEC found out that there were issues of maladministration and procedures were flawed, hence it asked the board to take action.Therefore, the hospital board decided on the suspensions in order to pave way for the investigations of the hospital, he explained.

BLH, which is a mission hospital also run Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing, which has also not escaped the allegations.

BLH has built itself a reputation especially in the ear, nose and throat treatment as well as maternal health.

Last year, both the hospital and the school were recognised as the best performing facilities by the Ministry of Health and Wellness for their contributions in the health sector. Both the Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing and hospital are currently embarking on various projects to expand.

Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing is embarking on a multi-million pula project to build a multi-dimensional campus, while the hospital is embarking on raising funds to expand its 35 beds maternity wards, which currently cannot accommodate modern equipment. BLH maternity ward remains the third most frequented hospital in the country after Princess Marina Referral Hospital and Nyangagwe Referral Hospital. ENDS