Africa-Press – Botswana. Legislators across the political divide on Friday spoke in support of a motion by Tswapong South MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang that requested government to consider introducing biannual universal heath checks to diagnose and treat illnesses before they could progress to advanced stages, resulting in prolonged hospitalisation and high medical costs.
Supporting the motion, Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Mr Reuben Kaizer said the motion was timely as Batswana had always indicated an appetite to test whenever availed the opportunity.
“I once organised free screening in Selebi Phikwe and about 1 481 people showed up, some even travelling from outside Selebi Phikwe from areas such as Bobirwa, Tswapong and Mmadinare. This also shows that as a nation we are in need of such a service,” he said.
He argued that if an individual could organise screening, it should then be much easier for government at an even larger scale.
Mr Kaizer said the motion resonated with the manifesto of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
Mahalapye West legislator, Mr David Tshere, who is also the Minister of Communications and Innovation, supported the motion, and advised on the need to check side effects of medicines to prevent adverse effects.
He also said that there should be financial incentives for private medical practitioners to screen people.
Maun West legslator, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, who also spoke in support of the motion, said he was worried that the relevant minister only indicated that he agreed with the motion in principle rather than in totality.
He said the motion was good and should it be acceded to, would help government plan better for the service as well as organise health facilities for the added responsibility.
Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs who is also Mmadinare legislator, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa for his part, said there was need to consider other alternatives rather than just relying on western medicines.
“Such alternatives could include herbal remedies, acupuncture, dietary supplements and meditation among others. Some of these alternatives are tried and tested and do not have much side effects. This will also help preserve indigenous knowledge,” he said.
His sentiments on the positive effects of indigenous knowledge were supported by Charleshill Member of Parliament, Mr Motsamai Motsamai, who said it was a pity that such knowledge seemed to be shunned despite having worked for Batswana.
Mr Motsamai, called for the increment of health personnel for efficiency should the motion be adopted and implemented.
Kgalagadi South MP and Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Micus Chimbombi said although he supported the motion, he felt that it should be reviewed to change its wording.
He said adopting it as it was could result in implementation bottlenecks due to improper wording.
“We should be careful not to restrict screening to government, but open it even to the private sector. Screening is already being done at health facilities, and what the motion should call for is improvement rather than introducing,” he said.
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