12 Feb 2013

Parliament has been informed that all clinics in the Shoshong constituency including Mosolotshane, Otse and Kodibeleng health posts have been electrified.

Responding to a parliamentary question on Monday, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said electricity was important in the delivery of quality health care but even in areas where there was no electricity, quality health services were still being provided.

He said there were five villages (Tewane, Ikongwe, Moralane, Poloka and Mokgenene) that did not have electricity while the health posts in the villages used solar power. 

Mr Matlhabaphiri added that Bonwapitse and Mmutlane health posts were planned for electrification in the 2013/14 fiscal year. “My ministry has a three-year plan for the electrification of health facilities which commenced in 2012. Implementation of this plan is being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Recourses,” he said.

Shoshong MP, Mr Phillip Makaglemele wanted the minister to state the value of electricity to quality health in clinics and health posts. He had also wanted to know the extent to which the minister was confident of delivering quality health in the constituency when most and health posts did not have such a resource.

In addition, Mr Makgalemele wanted to know if the minister would consider negotiating a special dispensation with the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources to deliver this resource on an emergency basis, including through public private partnerships as a key component to quality health towards ideals as detailed in Vision 2016.  ENDS