Africa-Press – Botswana. Tloaneng Health Post status is deemed not to meet the operational requirements for a fully-fledged clinic, says Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa.
Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, Mr Motshegwa said the health post served a low population as far as upgrading standards were concerned.
He said Statistics Botswana reports that Tloaneng population rose from 868 in 2011 to 1 319 in 2022, translating to an increase of about 52 per cent.
He therefore said with the notable growth, the current patient intake remained below the expected threshold required for upgrading it to a clinic.
He explained that, on average, general consultations ranged between 12-13 patients per day, antenatal care comprising of both new and repeating clients averages just one patient per day.
He further detailed that child welfare clinic attended to approximately four patients per day while the Antiretroviral services were accessible to two patients per day.
Mr Motshegwa however said government’s long term objective was to transform all health posts to clinic status, but Tloaneng Health Post would be considered for future upgrading provided funds permitted.
In addition, he said the health post had staff complement of two nurses, thus limiting capacity to extend service hours to weekends and public holidays.
He however emphasised that for weekends and public holidays, Gabane main clinic situated five kilometres away, served as a vital alternative.
He also said a medical doctor visited twice a month, delivering higher-level services directly to the community.
The minister was responding to a question from the Gabane/Mmankgodi legislator, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, who had asked the minister to state when his ministry intended to upgrade Tloaneng Health Post to a fully-fledged clinic in view of the significant population growth in the village since the establishment of the health post and the need to meet clinic infrastructure and service standards.
Mr Mmusi also asked if there were any plans to extend the operating hours of the health post to include weekends, considering that healthcare needs were continuous and not limited to weekdays.
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