14 Aug 2013

The Ministry of Health has plans to upgrade all the health posts in the country including Ditshegwane, Sesung, Maboane and Dutlwe to clinics as the structures have proven to be small.

Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri told parliament that these plans have not taken off due to shortage of funds and that they will be reconsidered when funds become available.

He said prior to the introduction of a service such as ARV dispensing, planning is done to consider factors such as the number of clients seen in a facility at any given time.

Mr Matlhabaphiri this is done to identify an appropriate time to provide the service so as to avoid inconveniencing general services.

In addition, the assistant minister stated that the health facilities provide an integrated service one of which is ARV dispensing; hence it should not be considered as an inconvenience.

He noted that there are no plans to procure porta cabins for these facilities due to financial constraints.

MP for Letlhakeng West, Mr Ngaka Ngaka, had asked the minister if he was aware that Ditshegwane, Sesung, Maboane and Dutlwe clinics were small resulting in the stoppage of some health services during visits by doctors and ARV dispensary were done in the same room which inconvenienced patients.

He had further asked what plans were in place to upgrade the clinics and whether it was possible to at least source and supply porta cabins for ARV dispensary. ENDS