02 Nov 2021

Government is considering the decentralisation of primary health care services from the central to local government with the aim of improving service delivery.

Health and wellness assistant minister, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said at a kgotla meeting in Gasita recently.

Some residents had decried challenges that included shortage of drugs as well as lack of transport at the clinic, since the decentralisation of primary health care services.

They also decried shortage of accommodation for nurses.

Mr Lelatisitswe said the ministry was aware of the recent calls by the public for government to decentralise primary healthcare services.

“It has been noted that the current centralised system disadvantaged people in rural areas where resources are scarce and medication is rarely available. The understanding is that clinics are currently not performing satisfactorily under this system where everything is controlled from the one place hence the need to decentralise them,” he said.

“We concur that the clinics are not performing well. Most have expressed their dissatisfaction, however so far it is just a proposal as it has not been finalised. Plans have to be put in place to ensure that these facilities are brought back to the councils,” he said.

He said once the proposal was approved, councils would be required to also prepare for the transition.

On other issues, Mr Lelatisitswe appealed to the village leadership, including the extension team, teachers, police and the community to work together in resolving some of the challenges the village was faced with. He also acknowledged that the health post need to be extended to include a maternity wing, observation room and an additional consultation room that would cater for emergencies.

On shortage of nurses’ accommodation, he informed residents that government had planned to construct two houses this year but the project was stalled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“We all understand that COVID-19 lockdowns had a negative impact on the country’s economy, thus government was forced to re-schedule some of developmental plans. Most of the budget also shifted towards combating COVID-19 with the aim of protecting the lives of all Batswana,” he said.

He said government had made strides in ensuring that the public was vaccinated, adding that the age category for those eligible for vaccination was now from 18 years and above.

Mr Lelatisitswe thanked nurses for their hard- work and dedication during the entire period of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our nurses deserve to be commended and recognised for saving lives and their sacrifices amid increased medical risks in treating patients during COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Dineo Mothoemang decried poor services despite increased village population over the years. 

He said the absence of maternity wing at the health post forced people to travel long distances to Kanye for assistance. 

He  requested for its extension to cater for the maternity wing to avoid having patients travel to Kanye for such a service.

Meanwhile, the meeting was convened to appreciate the state of the health care services in the village as well as challenges that residents experienced in accessing them. ends