12 Aug 2025

The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating cases of healthcare failures.

A press release from the organisation states that the first case emanates from concerns raised in the media about the quality and accessibility of emergency health care at Princess Marina Hospital.

An independent newspaper, Midweek Sun on November 27 last year, published an article detailing severe overcrowding, critical shortage of medical staff, hospital beds and ambulances, patients treated on the floor and excessive delays in receiving care in the hospital emergency unit.

The ombudsman states that the scope of the investigations was broadened to include other public hospitals.

The ombudsman second investigation also emanates from a Sunday Standard news article of March 23 edition under the headline, Patients are given infected blood. In the article, the Botswana Doctors Union (BDU) alleged that patients were exposed to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products at the National Blood Bank.

Doctors raised the alarm about the safety of donated blood, suggesting the blood tainted with HIV and other viruses has been able to go past the safety screening procedures at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).

The Office of the Ombudsman states that it has been seized with both matters since April and June, respectively, investigating the Ministry of Health, NBTS, and Central Medical Stores (CMS) regarding the allegations.

It states that to date, it has conducted site visits, interviewed hospital staff and patients and reviewed facility conditions and hospital systems.

The ombudsman says it is aware that the Ministry of Health has issued public statements on some issues and presented challenges in Parliament, adding however, a detailed report containing evidence-based recommendations to improve public service delivery and strengthen accountability in the public health sector will be released in due course.

These investigations, according to the ombudsman, are part of a series of investigations into areas of public concern it will conduct this financial year. ENDS