16 Dec 2020

The Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti says a plan is in place to upgrade all health posts to clinics as they have outgrown the health post structures.

Dr Dikoloti told Parliament that the project would, however, take time as it would be quite resource-intensive to upgrade over 300 existing health posts all at once or within a short period.

He further stated that the upgrading of Phuduhudu, Sankoyo, Matapana and Qhabara Health posts was not part of the current National Development Plan (NDP11), because of budgetary constraints.

Regarding congestion at Sedie clinic, the minister said since the ministry was currently experiencing a high volume of patients accessing health services in Maun township clinics, a few strategies were being implemented to address long waiting time for services at Sedie clinic as well as other clinics within Maun.

“The strategies that are being implemented include block-booking for certain services attracting high volumes of clients on a daily basis, including individual appointments for these services on specified days,” he explained.

He said another strategy that would be implemented included multi-dispensing of drugs where clients with chronic conditions are given a supply of at least three months.

Mr Lelatisitswe further explained that the ministry had no plans to construct a clinic at Wenela.

The Assistant Minister was responding to a question from Maun East MP Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile who had asked the minister if he was aware that some health posts were overwhelmed by workloads given the increase in areas’ population.

Mr Kekgonegile also wanted clarity on the ministry’s plan in upgrading Phuduhudu, Sankoyo, Matapana and Qhabara Health posts to clinics including the ministry’s plan of action to ease congestion at Sedie Clinic and if such plans included building a clinic at Wenela.  ENDS