20 Aug 2020

The Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has acknowledged the delays in bookings for orthopedic services at Mahalapye District Hospital. 

Mr Lelatisitswe said the hospital was currently operating with one orthopedic surgeon following the resignation of one specialist in March and another one who left  in July. 

He said patients who could not be assisted at Mahalapye hospital were referred to Orthopedic Surgeons in Nyangabgwe, Princess Marina, and private hospitals as deemed necessary after assessment by doctors. 

He said efforts to replace the specialist had  commenced despite  being stifled by COVID-19 restrictions on international travel. 

On a related matter, Mr Lelatisitswe said the ministry was committed to improving access to specialists’ services, adding ‘one such initiative is to intensify training of Batswana specialists.’  Mochudi East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule had asked the minister if he was aware that there were delays on bookings of patients for orthopedic services in Mahalapye and what was being done to ensure that patients were assisted promptly. Ends