05 Dec 2013

The installation of the digital X-ray machine at Letsholathebe hospital has not been completed as the matter is still under litigation.

The Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolekae said when answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, December 4. She said her ministry has however been able to seek assistance from the France based manufacturer, saying their technicians are currently in the country and the manufacturer is expected to complete the installation of the X–ray machine before the end of the financial year.

Regarding the repairs and commission of the old computerised tomography (CT) scanner, Ms Somolekae said her ministry did request for a quote to repair and commission from an agent in South Africa However, she said the agent could not quote for the job as the machine is no longer supported by the manufacturer. “We have since decided to decommission the machine and write it off,” she said.

She said all patients in the northern part of Botswana that require a CT SCAN are referred to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital whilst those in the South are refered to Princess Marina Hospital.

These referral facilities, she said , are able to meet the demand for CT scans and considering the limited financial resources, her ministry is of the opinion that the current set up is sufficient. Ms Somolekae was responding to a question that was asked by Ngami MP, Mr Taolo Habano who had asked her to brief the House on the progress of the installation of the digital X– ray machine and repairs and commissioning of the old computerised tomography scan at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital. ENDS