10 Jun 2021

Okavango residents have been commended for the acceptance and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Speaking during a tour of some health facilities in Kauxwi, Shakawe and Sepopa, the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe applauded the community and health officials for the rapport during the vaccine roll out. 

Mr Lelatisitswe noted that fighting coronavirus had become priority in President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s administration hence all were being encouraged to get vaccinated.

He therefore commended Okavango DHMT coordinator, Dr Bokwena Moali for a progressive decision to vaccinate everyone who was available during a period when the vaccine was meant for people aged 75 and above only, adding that the main aim was to interrupt transmission of the coronavirus in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Lelatisitswe highlighted that the focus should not only be on COVID-19, but also on other diseases prevalent in Okavango such as Malaria.

As for challenges facing health workers in Okavango, Mr Jojo Gosekwang, a nurse at Kauxwi health post, decried shortage of accommodation.

He also said there was only one ambulance shared among four villages of  Kauxwi, Sekondomboro, Xakao and Ngarange. Kauxwi councillor, Mr Television France noted that the village had overgrown a health post, and there was need to speed up progress on the Kauxwi clinic project which the contractor had long abandoned.

Ms Fortunate Tawana of Shakawe clinic decried shortage of staff, noting that the clinic was a 24-hour facility with a maternity ward, and it operated with 24 nurses, with six of them being  midwives. 

She also noted that in a day, the clinic received an average of 100 to 120 patients, adding that it was hectic because they have only four pharmacy technicians and three doctors.

“We also experience shortage of ambulances at the clinic as currently we operate with only two. These ambulances do referrals to Gumare. Sometimes we also use them as a utility vehicle to attend meetings in Gumare, hence affecting core services such emergencies and referrals,” she said. 

Ms Tawana also said some officers had overstayed at the clinic and were due for transfer as some had been in Okavango for more than 11 years. 

On the issue of accommodation shortage, Okavango Member of Parliament, Mr Kenny Kapinga said it was time government came up with a programme that would help locals build houses to be rented by civil servants, adding that by doing so, government would also be empowering communities.

He said government alone could not afford providing accommodation for all public employees. 

Mr Kapinga also talked about the bad state of roads in Okavango which resulted in regular breakdown of ambulances, hence  the shortage. Ends