21 Jul 2013

The specialist eye service has been moved to Scottish Livingstone Hospital, the Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has said.

Answering a question in Parliament, Mr Matlhabaphiri said the eye clinic comprises two types of services, being general and specialist eye services.

He noted that staff has been rationalised and some have been transferred to Scottish Livingstone Hospital while others continue to work at the general eye clinic.

The decision, he said, was taken as a result of prolonged waiting periods for operations due to congestion of theatre and wards at Princess Marina Hospital.

Mr Matlhabaphiri noted that Scottish Livingstone Hospital will be covering the southern region of the country, but this does not limit referrals of patients from other parts of the country. He said that the relocation will increase the number of patients attended to, though it has small cost implications for patients.

Kgalagadi South legislator, Mr John Toto had asked the minister to state what will happen to the staff currently working at the eye clinic at Princess Marina Hospital when the clinic is to be moved to Molepolole hospital.

Mr Toto also asked the minister to explain what informed the decision to move the clinic to Molepolole and to state the areas to be covered by the hospital as well as to indicate if the plan is sustainable. ENDS