11 Mar 2020

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape on March 9 presented his ministry’s budget proposals, explaining that provision of quality healthcare services was one of government’s top priorities. Debating the proposals, MP for Gaborone Bonnington North Ms Anna Mokgethi congratulated the minister for almost achieving a 90-90-90 target set by the UN in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She however expressed concern about the level of care given to women at Princess Marina Referral Hospital, citing one of the incidents in which government had to incur additional costs by referring a patient to Bokamoso Private Hospital due to negligence at Pincess Marina.

MP Mokgethi decried shortage of doctors in all health facilities in the capital city, adding that the city should have its own hospital to ease congestion at Princess Marina. Mogoditshane legislator, Mr Tumiso Rakgare called for the expansion of Nkoyaphiri Clinic to address congestion resulting from nearby villages while Serowe South legislator, Mr Leepetswe Lesedi said 11 doctors resigned at Sekgoma Memorial Hospital and were replaced with five doctors, meaning there was still a shortage. He said the hospital appeared beautiful from the outside but inside it needed maintenance.

MP for Mochudi West, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said residents of Mochudi were last year promised a hospital, as Deborah Retief Memorial (DRM) Hospital was too old and small to serve an increased population.

He however said given the revenue challenges, DRM should be refurbished, explaining that the mortuary was not working. MP Kgafela further urged the minister to update Parliament on the issue of procuring medicines jointly with other SADC countries.

He thanked the minister for the construction of a clinic at Makgophana ward in Mochudi and said it was important for it to be completed on time.

Shoshong MP Mr Aubrey Lesaso said the duty of the health ministry should not be construction and maintenance, suggesting that such should be left with the relevant ministry so that the health ministry concentrates on its core mandate.

He wondered why there was only one oncologist serving the country from Mahalapye to Bokspits. MP Lesaso further said there should be a hospital in the Shoshong constituency as envisaged in the NDP 11, which states that it should be built during 2020/21 financial year. He further said clinics should have maternity wards for ease of accessibility.

Specially elected MP, Dr Unity Dow said Parliament should be ready for supplementary budget as the current estimates did not provide for costs of coronavirus, noting that the minister should ensure Batswana do not travel long distances to access primary healthcare.

MP Thapelo Letsholo of Kanye North urged the minister to construct a public hospital in Kanye, saying while he appreciated the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) hospital, there should be one owned and operated by government.

The current agreement between SDA and government should be revisited, he added. MP Letsholo called for the establishment of Air Emergency Rescue Services to deal with accidents in remote areas.

The country, he added, should adopt modern technology like in other countries where commodities were being delivered through drones.

Responding to comments, Dr Kwape said there had been improvement in availability of medication since the country started procuring it with other SADC countries. He said it was impossible to undertake maintenance in all facilities due to budgetary constraints, but needy ones would be given priority.

Dr Kwape said the shortage of doctors and specialists had been a major concern for government, hence they continued to train Batswana in those fields. He expressed gratitude towards China and Cuba for sending personnel to assist here by working in local hospitals..

The ministry together with the First Lady Ms Neo Masisi, he said, were also doing a good job in collaborating on teaching young girls on how to protect themselves from getting infected with HIV. ENDS