05 Jul 2022

Ministry of health has concluded negotiations with Cuba to assist with various specialists, and they are on the way.

“This coming month we are expecting 74 different specialists from Cuba and they will be posted to different hospitals, even primary hospitals, because we want to thoroughly deal with the backlog that came about as a result of the pandemic,” Assistant Minister of Health informed residents of Mokhomma, Samane and Thankane in the Mabutsane Sub-district in kgotla meetings recently.

The residents had pleaded with Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe  to assist with more nurses at health posts, to which he indicated that just like everyone, nurses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many losing lives, hence the shortage.

“We were not spared the pandemic, especially that the ministry’s personnel was at the forefront. 

While most people were locked down, they were at the most busy,” said, adding, as such the ministry was currently hamstrung to fully assist short-staffed health facilities with more health personnel.

He said the ministry was also forced to suspend services such as surgeries until the pandemic abated.

Mr Lelatisitswe also cautioned the nation to be prepared for a more serious shortage, especially of doctors as the ministry was planning to send locals for specialist training, which would mostly takes.

 “This means that in those two years, we will be running short of doctors. 

The good thing, however, is that from then forth, the country will boast of many qualified local specialists that will be able to meet most of the national needs,” he said.

On the issue of shortage of drugs that has affected the county for a while, Mr Lelatisitswe said the situation was stabilising.

“The shortage of drugs was global, and it was because during lockdown, even drug manufacturing facilities were not operating. 

The world has been surviving on stockpiles and the consequences were only felt later. 

However, the facilities are back to business and so the situation is stabilising,” he said.

Mr Lelatisitswe also advised nurses to vaccinate any number of people that come for COVID-19 jabs rather than wait for the number to equal dosage per bottle as vaccines would end up expiring.

The residents of the three villages had called for staffing of the clinics, as well as availing of ambulances, among others. 

The assistant minister was on a tour of the area to check on health facilities and residents ever since the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the council chairperson for Mabutsane Sub- district, Mr Poloko Mokwaise appreciated the assistant minister for touring the area to learn about the challenges first hand. 

He also raised concern on the issue of high defilement  rate as reported in Thankane, recommending that stern action be taken against perpetrators.

“We should also take time to condemn parents who hide such issues, with some even going to the extent of reconciling with the perpetrators for their own selfish interests. 

It is time we fully enforce the Children’s Act to address this situation,” he said. BOPA