27 Jun 2018

North East District councillors have heard that refurbishment and expansion of some clinics in the district have been suspended due to some financial constraints.

Addressing the ongoing council session, Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Biggie Butale explained that that the ministry deferred some minor projects in the district under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) because funds were channeled to bigger projects such as construction of the Shakawe hospital.

However, Mr Butale said all the projects that were to be done under ESP would be carried forward to the eleventh National Development Plan.

He indicated that construction of the Zwenshambe clinic, which was expected this financial year, had also been postponed to the coming financial year.

He added that maintenance of clinics and hospitals in all districts was awarded to consultants who were in the process of assessing the facilities status and how much would be needed for maintenance.

Again, he told councillors that delay in distribution of medication to clinics was caused by delay in the supply chain as a result of shortage of trained personnel in supply chain management.

Nevertheless, he said the ministry was in the process of training intern officers in supply chain management so that procurement of drugs would be efficient, owing to shortage of qualified personnel under the cadre.

Further, he indicated that the ministry had installed computers in all clinics and hospitals in order to gear up for the upcoming procurement system that would link all health facilities across the country.

He stated that due to the economic crisis in 2008, the ministry experienced shortage of fleet in the district, and therefore was unable to replace the 19 vehicles that were boarded.

On other issues, he indicated that government was training Batswana doctors under different specialties to curb the long waiting periods to see specialists.

Councillor Bakani Badzili of Siviya Ward had asked the minister to explain why the upgrading of the Zwenshambe clinic was deferred, arguing that would delay other projects that were planned for the coming years.

Cllr Kudzani Tobokwani of Themashanga Ward concurred that they had high hopes with the ESP thinking that it would solve issues of shortage of staff accommodation for nurses.

Mr Tobokwani indicated that nurses should stay next to the clinics to be able to assist patients promptly at any time of the day.

Cllr Elias Mbonini of Masunga Ward alluded that bookings to see specialists were elongated, saying such was bad for patients because every patient expected to be consulted by a doctor when they were sick.

Cllr Mbaakanyi Smart of Mosojane Ward suggested that the ministry should in the meantime draw layouts of all facilities to be rehabilitated or constructed so that projects would commence without any delays when funds were available.

Councillors continued to complain about the state of the clinics in the district as they unanimously held the view that ESP did not benefit North East District at all. ENDS