Botswana: The Secretary for Primary Health Care in the Ministry of Health, Dr Mareko Ramotsababa, announced the relocation of primary health services in Chobe district. The Secretary for Primary Healthcare shared that the facilities can now be accessed through the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.
The Secretary for Primary Health Care, Dr Ramotsababa addressed the Chobe District Councillors on relocation on Monday. He informed the officers that the relocation of the activities will notably take place on 1st April 2025.
Dr Ramotsababa has also informed the councillors that the relocation will not affect Primary Hospitals and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The Ministry Representative has noted that the people of these facilities can still be accessed through the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, the clinic within the Chobe District and the Port Health Centres will come under the management of the District Councils. The officials have shared that the new development will come into effect starting April 1.
The Botswana Ministry of Health has shared some images from the event on their social media. The ministry of Health has shared that the preparation for the relocation has already started.
The government of Botswana has established committees to make sure that the transition can take place in a smooth and functional manner. The Ministry of Health representative assured the councilors across the district that they will get equally divided resources.
Furthermore, the division of the responsibility will also be done in line with the rules and regulations of the two ministries. No one ministry will get undue or unfair advantages over the other.
The officials have shared that the councilors also shared their concerns on the administration. The officials have shared that the state of the health facilities is much below par.
The situation of the health facilities has been affected by the lack of attention and resources, making it below standard for healthcare. Some of these resources need to be replaced in order to ensure a certain standard of services.
The health centers also need ambulance vehicles to allow easy movement of patients.
The councilors said that Kasane needed a new Primary Hospital because the current one is no longer conducive for the provision of health care services. Another serious concern for the people of the country was the shortage of the specialists in the primary healthcare sector Dr Ramotsababa also spoke to the Chobe District Council staff and informed them about the relocation. He further requested them to accommodate the staff from the Ministry of Health.
Deputy Council Secretary will be helping in leading the primary healthcare facilities. They will be supported by a Chief Nursing Officer and a Chief Medical Officer.