22 Feb 2024

Assistant Minister of Health,  Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe says his ministry will procure 52 ambulances through the Transitional National Plan for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.

He said since April 2023 seven ambulances were procured for Joseph Kavindama Primary Hospital, one for Shakawe, two for Moshupa Primary Hospital while Sepopa, Ngarange and Kauxwi got one ambulance per facility. He said the ambulances were procured as part of the package for the newly constructed and upgraded facilities.

He also affirmed that the remaining 45 vehicles would be procured in the financial year 2024/25 to align with the completion of the ongoing projects. Mr Lelatisitswe also told Parliament that no ambulances had been procured for Bobirwa District since the beginning of the year.

However, he noted that Bobirwa District had a fleet of 12 ambulances and two vehicles that were used to transport patients in Lepokoke-Molalatau cluster.

Mr Lelatisitswe also noted that the district comprised of four clusters namely, Motlhabaneng, Mathathane and Lentswelemoriti. He said cluster two comprised of Mabolwe, Semolale and Gobojango,  cluster three comprised of Tsetsebjwe and Moletemane while cluster four comprised of Lepokole and Molalatau.

He said each cluster had two ambulances except Lepokole/Molalatau cluster while Bobonong Primary Hospital had six ambulances.

He further told Parliament that there was undeniably acute shortage in Bobonong District, but that his ministry was working around the clock to arrest the situation in the near future when funds permitted.

Bobonong legislator, Mr Taolo Lucas had asked minister to state the total number of ambulances that would be procured during the Transitional National Plan and the total number that had been already procured since April 2023.

He further asked for the number that had been procured for Bobirwa District  since the beginning of the year and to state the level of shortage of ambulances in the whole district. He also asked whether the ministry had any plans to purchase ambulances for all health facilities in Bobirwa District. ENDS