14 Oct 2020

The long-awaited government hospital project in Kanye had been deferred.

Kanye North Member of Parliament, Mr Thapelo Letsholo told Kanye and Moshana residents during consultative meetings he addressed in the two villages on Monday October 12 that the project was expected to be included in the midterm review, but it had since been deferred due to financial challenges posed by COVID-19.

He said instead some clinics in the constituency had been earmarked for upgrading while others would start operating 24 hours per day.

He acknowledged that deferring the hospital project was a huge blow to the whole region since the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital (SDAH) was not only overwhelmed, but was also planning to convert into a private institution.

However, he noted that he was in consultation with stakeholders to ensure that health services at existing institutions were improved. 

He said one of the main challenges in local clinics was poor maintenance of facilities and shortage of midwives, which posed a risk for expectant mothers.

In Kanye, residents expressed disappointment that the project they had long anticipated was not to be. 

Mr Bontias Mokgosana said the SDAH did not have the capacity to service the ever-growing population and there was no room for expansion.

“Kanye deserves a big government hospital just like Maun, Serowe and Molepolole. 

Actually, the hospital is long overdue because our population continues to grow tremendously. 

I urge you to keep pushing for this project because we have long talked about this issue and it is not happening,” he said.

For her part, Moshana Primary School Parents Teachers Association chairperson, Ms Sadimme Ntlape said overcrowding at Moshana health post defied COVID-19 protocols as there was no space for social distancing. 

She said doctors’ visitation dates were a nightmare as nurses had to utilise the little space for the various services while at the same time trying to promote social distancing.

She further called on government to attend to Moshana road as a matter of urgency since pupils could not cross over to the other side when it is raining heavily.” 

This matter should be attended to urgently because the rainy season has already commenced,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Oduetse Loeto emphasised the need for solar street lights in the village since it was not safe at night. 

He said there was no internal roads in some parts of the village and water supply was not reliable. ENDS