08 Jul 2018

Parliament has learnt that there is shortage of personnel with Bachelor Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences. 

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Alfred Madigele said this when responding to a question in Parliament from Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskings Nkaigwa.

He said the ministry had been able to employ eight graduates with Bachelor Degree in Cytology/Histology who completed their studies in December 2017 from University of Botswana (UB).

He said out of the 24 graduates with general Bachelor Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences who also completed their studies in 2017 from UB, four positions had already been identified to employ graduates.

“Given limited positions in government, the ministry continues to rationalise positions for employment of graduates including those with Bachelor Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from UB,” he said. Dr Madigele further said it was not true that there were no Batswana specialists at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital and Princess Marina Hospital, adding that both hospitals were headed by Batswana at appropriate levels and specialisation commensurate with their scope of service.

Moreover, Dr Madigele said there was a Motswana specialist posted at National Health Laboratory who was responsible for oversight of all laboratories.

Mr Nkaigwa had asked why holders of Degree in Medical Laboratory from UB were not employed despite shortage of their skills and services in all hospitals  countrywide. He had also asked as to why after many years of training scientists, there was no single Motswana at both Marina and Nyangabgwe referral hospitals. BOPA