06 Feb 2014

The Ministry of Health is undertaking a rationalisation exercise to re-distribute health care providers such as midwives throughout its health facilities and districts that are currently experiencing severe shortages will also benefit from the exercise.

Answering a parliamentary question on Wednesday, February 5, the health minister, Dr John Seakgosing said due to financial constraints, it had not been possible to construct new facilities at Mafhongo-Hubona and Jamataka villages, which qualified to have clinics/health posts based on their population.

He said all the three clinics in Tonota North Constituency had midwives and indicated that Sebina and Matlhangwane each had four midwives and Marapong had two.

The minister noted that of the 10 health posts in the constituency, four have midwives; Borolong has two whilst Makobo, Mabesekwa and Shashemooke have one midwife each. Dr Seakgosing said the ministry annually advertises post basic courses such as midwifery, for nurses interested to apply.

Successful nurses, he added are posted back to their duty stations upon completion of their post basic training and currently Tonota North does not have any nurses undergoing post basic training in midwifery. DHMT’s are constantly advised to encourage their staff to apply for midwifery to address the shortage of this cadre in their districts, he said.

The minister was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Tonota North, Mr Fidelis Molao who had asked the minister about the number of clinics and health posts in Tonota North which have midwives.

He also wanted to know when they could expect the midwives to be posted to these facilities and when will clinics and health posts be built in the villages of Mafhongo –Hubona and Jamakata given their growth in terms of population and their distance to the nearest facilities. ENDS