12 Feb 2019

Construction of Mochudi hospital was not implemented during 2018/19 financial year as it could not be accommodated in the budget due to ceiling constraints, Parliament has learnt.

Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness Mr Biggie Butale said when answering a question in Parliament on Monday that construction of the hospital was initially proposed for implementation during the 2017/18 financial year and preparatory works including securing of a plot, conducting site suitability assessments as well as confirming the project scope were completed.

Mr Butale further said the refurbishment of Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital was planned for the financial year 2019/2020.

He said it was anticipated that tender for such maintenance would be floated by the end of the first quarter of this year.

As for Economic Stimulus Programme projects and their update under his ministry in Kgatleng, Mr Butale said the upgrading of Mmathubudukwane clinic to Level 1 primary hospital and 25 staff houses was initially proposed for implementation during the 2018/19 financial year, but could not be accommodated in the budget due to ceiling constraints.

On the upgrading of Modipane health post to clinic without maternity and staff houses, Mr Butale said the project was also initially proposed for implementation during 2018/19 financial year, but could not be accommodated in the budget due to ceiling constraints.

Mr Butale further said construction of the clinic component at Makgophana commenced on July 19, 2018 and was scheduled to be complete on July 19, 2019.

He said progress as at the end of January was 45 per cent  against 48 per cent target.

Construction of staff housing component still at Makgophana commenced on January 8 and was scheduled to finish on December 10, noting that progress as at the end of January was at trench excavation.

Mr Butale told Parliament that procurement of staff houses for Mmathubudukwane and Artesia were completed in July 2018 from Botswana Housing Corporation through the Public Officers Housing Initiative.

Meanwhile, staff houses in Sikwane, Olifants Drift, Oodi, Modipane, Morwa, Bosej 1, Boseja 2 and Makakatlela were initially proposed for implementation during 2018/19 financial year, but could not be accommodated in the budget due to ceiling constraints.

He said construction of the projects would be considered in the future funds permitting.

The MP for Mochudi East, Mr Moagi Molebatsi had wanted the Minister of Health and Wellness to update Parliament on progress regarding the Mochudi hospital that was to be built in Pilane as well as the refurbishment and maintenance of Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital.

Mr Molebatsi also wanted an update on all Economic Stimulus Programme projects under the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Kgatleng, citing the upgrading of Mmathubudukwane clinic and others that were supposed to have commenced last year as promised at the Mmathubudukwane kgotla meeting. ENDS