25 Jul 2013

The Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has explained to Parliament that the ministry is faced with shortage of doctors.

He said the ministry continued to undertake various innovations such as establishment of clusters in the districts to ensure that available doctors and nurses cover all facilities in districts.

Responding to a parliamentary question from Member of Parliament for Tonota North, Mr Fidelis Molao on Wednesday, Mr Matlhabaphiri said Tonota North constituency was serviced by doctors and nurses from six clusters that fell under the greater Francistown and Tutume District Health Management Teams.

He said the six clusters are Sebina, Mokgoro, Tonota, Tati Siding, Borolong and Mathangwane. The Sebina cluster has one doctor while Tonota has three doctors.

Mokgoro, Tati Siding, Borolong and Mathangwane have one doctors each. The total number for clinics under the six clusters covering the constituency is 57, he explained.

Mr Molao had wanted to know the number of doctors and nurses per clinic/village in the constituency and whether the staffing levels are satisfactory and if not what is being done to address the situation. ENDS