29 Aug 2021

Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has attributed shortage of doctors in the Okavango area to the high attrition rate.

Answering a question in Parliament on Friday, Mr Lelatisitwe said the Seronga and Xakao clusters would therefore be considered in the placement of doctors as the staffing situation improves in the district.

He told Parliament that the Eastern part of the Okavango River at Seronga Clinic was served by one doctor, who had been deployed in the area for six years.

He stated that the ministry had also deployed another doctor at Xakao Clinic but the officer resigned in April.

“The number of doctors per serviced population is not commensurate with the population being served. Currently the population serviced is estimated at 10 563 while the recommended standard is at least one doctor per 3 000 population serviced,” he said.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga had wanted to know if there was a doctor deployed in the eastern part of the Okavango River. Mr Kapinga also asked whether the number of doctors was commensurate with the population being served. ENDS