30 Jul 2013

Patients are not required to bring their own bedding when admitted to Princess Marina Hospital, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has told Parliament.

“However, we do have cases where due to factors of shortage of linen and breakdowns of equipment such as boilers and the central heating system, patients have brought their own blankets. To address linen shortages, several initiatives have been undertaken by my ministry,” said Mr Matlhabaphiri, responding to a question from Gaborone Central MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando.

He said the initiatives included outsourcing of laundry services, devolution of some of the services provided by PMH to other facilities to ease the workload, outsourcing of maintenance of equipment and procurement of cellular blankets.

Following the outsourcing of laundry services, Mr Matlhabaphiri explained that most of PMH linen requirements are met. For the financial year 2012/13, he said a tender has been awarded to a company to supply 3 500 cellular blankets to the hospital over a period of two years. He said the supplier delivered the first batch of 900 blankets in April and a further 2 000 is expected soon, with the balance expected before the year ends.

Mr Saleshando had asked why some patients were required to bring their own bedding when admitted to the Princess Marina Hospital. ENDS