11 Dec 2013

Parliament has been informed that there is no serviceable and fully equipped ambulance specifically allocated to Tonota North constituency clinics and health posts.

Answering a question in parliament, assistant minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolekae said taking into consideration the transport and financial resource constraints as well as the need for improving response time, and ultimately ensure effective and efficient delivery of ambulance services, a decision was made to establish a centralised Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the country in a phased approach.

She said EMS for Francistown and health facilities within 35 km radius from the city were from a centralised point in Francistown (Donga clinic).

Further, Dr Somolekae noted the Tonota North constituency fell within the Francistown catchment area and its ambulance needs were therefore provided for using this set up.

She also said Tonota North constituency had two utility vehicles which are based at Mathangwane clinic and Borolong health post for outreach service which could also be used as ambulances in times of emergencies.“Given the current resources constraints, it is not possible at the moment to have an ambulance based at every health facility. It is our expectation that an emergency ambulance station will be established in Mathangwane when resources permit,” she said.

Dr Somolekae further noted that all Tonota North Constituency health facilities had Family Welfare Educators while these facilities did not have pharmacy technicians.

She also said currently there were no posts to employ pharmacy technicians at these facilities while the dispensing of drugs was done by nurses.

She said pharmacists from District Health Management Team provided oversight during regular support services.

Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao had asked the minister of Health to state the number of clinics and health posts in Tonota North constituency with serviceable and fully equipped ambulances, those that did not have such and the reasons thereof. Ends

The minister had also to state the number of clinics with pharmacy technicians and family welfare educators and those that did not have such and the reasons thereof.bopa  ENDS