28 Jul 2013

Parliament has adopted a motion calling on government to fast track the modernisation of all health facilities countrywide.

Debating the motion from the MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Gilson Saleshando, MPs agreed that improving health care and access in Botswana’s public hospitals continues to be a key priority and government should improve them.

Expressing his views during the debate, the MP for Tonota South, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said public hospitals and clinics face significant demand due to population growth, the changing nature of health care delivery and growing community expectations.

He said the sustained increases in demand for health care services means that the system must continue to evolve in order to provide equitable, timely and quality emergency care.

MP for Lobatse, Mr Nehemiah Modubule said the motion was a very important one in that hospitals around the country are in an appalling state and they need rehabilitation.

Mr Modubule complained that Athlone Hospital in Lobatse was to be refurbished in the National Development Plan 9 but has since been halted, with contradicting explanations.

The MP for Boteti North, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said government should continue to invest in and strengthen existing health care in the country’s hospitals to assist the health system to deliver the best possible care to communities.

He said in areas where there are frequent malaria outbreaks, patients become overcrowded to the extent that they are discharged early in order to accommodate other incoming patients.

In his response, the Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri noted that health services have made significant improvements in medical access since government was committed to making sure they have an innovative, efficient and effective health system.

Mr Matlhabaphiri explained that hospital projects that were in the NDP 9 have been suspended indefinitely due to financial constraints; however should funds be availed, the projects will be carried out.

He also said that in an endeavour to improve quality care and waiting time, government will place at least five specialists in different hospitals around the country as well as create centres of excellence of different fields in different hospitals around the country.  ENDS