19 Mar 2026

Shortages of critical health personnel and limited drug supplies continue to hamper service delivery in the Mogoditshane–Thamaga District, Council Chairperson Mr Molatedi Selala has said.

Addressing the Mogoditshane-Thamaga full council meeting on Monday, Mr Selala said the district was grappling with a shortage of doctors, pharmacy personnel and other health professionals, a situation that continued to affect the quality of health care.

“These challenges continue to impact service delivery, particularly in key areas of primary health care,” he said.

He noted that while the council had undertaken targeted recruitment of nurses, midwives and other support staff, many remain on short-term contracts, raising concerns about sustainability.

Drug availability also remains a major concern, currently standing at around 45 per cent due to supply constraints at Central Medical Stores.

“Although weekly orders are placed, deliveries continue to fall short of demand,” Mr Selala said.

He added that infrastructure gaps, particularly in radiology and laboratory services, continued to limit the district’s capacity to provide comprehensive healthcare.

Despite these challenges, Mr Selala said the council had made efforts to expand services, including the establishment of a minor surgical clinic at Gabane, which was improving access to basic procedures.

He also revealed that Thamaga Primary Hospital had been earmarked for refurbishment under the 2026/2027 development budget with planning already underway.

Beyond the health sector, the Council Chairperson outlined a range of service delivery pressures facing the district. In education, rising enrolment has led to overcrowding, forcing more than 20 schools to operate under a shift system due to a shortage of classrooms.

In environmental health, waste management remains a challenge despite recent improvements, with the council previously struggling with fleet breakdowns and delays in procurement processes. Compliance levels in schools, day care centres and businesses also remain a concern, largely due to limited resources for inspection and maintenance.

The district is also is experiencing growing pressure on land administration, with high demand for residential plots and a surge in illegal land occupation in areas such as Mogoditshane, Mmopane and Metsimotlhabe.

Mr Selala further noted that rapid urbanisation had contributed to rising crime levels, particularly offences such as theft, robbery and motor vehicle break-ins, placing additional strain on law enforcement.

He also highlighted social challenges, including unemployment and increasing demand for government support programmes which continue to affect households across the district.

He further said these issues underscored the need for coordinated planning, adequate resourcing and stronger collaboration between government, communities and stakeholders to improve service delivery.

He emphasised that community engagement remained central to the district’s approach, with outreach programmes and public health initiatives continuing to play a key role in bringing services closer to the people. ENDS