15 Jun 2021

Residents of Makunda in the Ghanzi District have expressed concern about inadequate service space and deteriorating state of their health post. 

Their worries were conveyed by Kgosi Simon Kambura and Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Oscar Kangotue in a meeting addressed Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe recently. 

Kgosi Kambura said though government long declared that all heath posts would be upgraded into clinics, the state of their health post was still poor. 

He pleaded with government to consider establishing a primary hospital in Charleshill Sub-district. 

For his part, Mr Kangotue said the deteriorating state of the health facility, worsened by lack of maintenance coupled with inadequate service space, was a source of concern and stated that ‘we are neglected, totally neglected.’ 

Both village representatives also said shortage of transport servicing the heath facility was a concern. 

In his briefing, nurse in charge, Mr Kabelano Modise stated that due to shortage of operating space, consultation, dressing, injection, observation and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services were done in the same room. 

He regretted that inadequate service space delayed service delivery ‘because services like dressing is done in a room which is used for other services, it poses risks to other clients.’ 

He also said toilets for the health facility and at staff residential were dilapidated. 

Area councillor, Mr Kapenawarue Kandjise suggested that in the interim government could bring a portacabin to rescue the situation. 

Mr Lelatisitswe told residents that government priority was to overcome COVID-19 and as such most of government funds were channeled towards the fight against COVID 19 pandemic. 

He however promised that government would try by all means possible to make sure that minor maintenance was done to make the health facility habitable and added that provision of porta-cabin could also help the situation “just like the area councillor had suggested.” 

Assistant Minister also visited Tshootsha and Karakubis village, where shortage of accommodation for health care workers and lack of maintenance of health facilities were still a concern among others. ENDS