01 Dec 2019

The Ministry of Health and Wellness restructuring process is expected to give districts more autonomy to manage and implement health matters within their districts.

Health minister, Dr Lemogang Kwape told Parliament that restructuring would include a budget to plan for the districts.  

“The advantages of decentralisation in operation of clinics, including the procurement and distribution of medicines and other medical necessities, could ensure optimal utilisation of resources as well as timely decision making to address operational issues in the district,” he said.

He, however, noted the disadvantages being a reduction in opportunities for economies of scale in the procurement of goods and services as well as inequitable distribution of resources in remote areas.

The minister said Moshaneng, Joosub Dada Clinic, E & M Dada Clinic, Dilolwe, Mahikana, Kgomokasitwa and Ntlhantlhe have ambulances except for Magothwane and Lekgolobotlo Health Post which do not have ambulances but shared with other health facilities.

Dr Kwape explained to Parliament that the ambulance for Ranaka Clinic was at CTO for repairs, noting that a single cab had been allocated to the clinic and was currently also servicing Lekgolobotlo Health Post.

On medical equipment, the minister said most clinics and health posts that had been listed had class C equipment available, with the installation of autoclaves in some of the clinics.

Dr Kwape also said the medicine availability was at 91 per cent capacity in Moshaneng, 71 per cent in Dada 1, 83 per cent in Dada 2, 82 per cent  in Dilolwe, 80 per cent in Mahikana, 69 per cent in Kgamokasitwa, 84 per cent in Magotlhwane, 89 per cent in Ntlhantlhe, 80 per cent in Lekgolobotlo and 78 per cent in Ranaka.

He also noted that there were medicine distribution depots in Kanye, Moshupa and Mabutsane that served facilities in the Southern District.

The minister revealed plans to address shortage of space at these distribution points, saying a bigger warehouse was being identified in Kanye while Moshupa had the same plans.

Kanye North Member of Parliament, Mr Thapelo Letsholo had wanted to know if there were plans to decentralise the operation of clinics, including the procurement and distribution of medicines and other medical necessities.

He also wanted to know the advantages and disadvantages of decentralisation, the current status of ambulances, medication and other medical equipment at the clinics under discussion.

He also wanted to know if the minister would consider having a medicine distribution depot in Kanye that would serve the Southern District. ENDS