16 Sep 2018

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Alfred Madigele has confirmed that the ministry was conducting an investigation at Thuso Rehabilitation Centre in Maun over a number of irregularities.

The investigations, he said focused on funds management, hiring procedure and procurement processes.

Dr Madigele was responding to some comments from some of the workers from the centre who had pleaded with President Mokgweetsi Masisi to intervene.

They reported that there was no business at the centre as there were no services offered due to financial constraints.

Workers said they had gone close to six months without getting paid and that the centre was failing to achieve its goal of providing rehabilitation services to people living with disabilities in Ngamiland, Chobe, Charleshill and Ghanzi.

Dr Madigele urged workers to be patient as the investigations were nearing completion, adding that once they were done, they would give them feedback.

Thuso Rehabilitation Centre is a training institution for people living with disabilities in Maun.

The centre offers services that include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, orthopaedic services, rehabilitation, family and HIV counselling.

The centre also aims to create opportunities for people living with disabilities to find socio-economic independence.

On other issues, the minister revealed that the ministry was aware of shortage of staff in health facilities, saying efforts were being made to address the issue.

He appreciated that there was also shortage of midwives and stated that the ministry was considering engaging some of the retired nurses.

He also pointed out that there was need to have a surgeon at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital to relieve patients the burden of travelling long distances to Nyangabwe Referral Hospital in Francistown.

Earlier on, Umbrella Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Romeo Segwai complained about shortage of medication as well as medical experts, among others.

He also complained that there was shortage of blankets at the local hospital. ENDS