11 Mar 2020

Upgrading of health posts to clinics is still lagging behind country wide due to the delay caused by implementation capacities at the beginning of NDP 11 as well as budgetary ceiling constraints.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape said this when responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga on March 10.

He said because of the ceiling constraints not all health posts were accommodated in the NDP 11.

Such include; Tsokatshaa, Kutamogoree and Maposa health posts.

Dr Kwape however said Mosetse Health Post was prioritised for implementation during the NDP 11 and the design and other pre-contract works were concluded during the 2017/18 financial year.

He explained to Parliament that the project did not progress to construction stage due to budgetary constraints.

“My ministry is aware that all the eight health posts in the Nata/Gweta constituency have not been upgraded including; Tsokatshaa, Kutamogoree, Mosetse, Maposa, Lepashe, Manxotae, Dzoroga and Sepako,” he said.

Minister Moagi stated that the ministry had employed a radiographer at Gweta Primary Hospital, and the officer would report for duty at the end of March,.

He said the recruitment of the second radiographer was still ongoing, therefore in the interim, radiographers at Tutume Primary Hospital were doing outreach services at Gweta Primary Hospital on weekly basis.

MP Majaga wanted the minister to explain if he was aware that upgrading of health posts to clinics was still lagging bahind in Tsokotshaaa, Kutamogoree, Mosetse and Maposa and also to state what had caused the delay.

The Nata/Gweta legislator also asked the minister to state if the ministry comprehended the number of health posts that were not upgraded in the Nata/Gweta constituency and further explain as to when an X-Ray technician would be hired at Gweta Primary Hospital because his constituents were suffering due to the fact that they alternatively had to seek medical attention at Tutume Primary Hospital. ENDS