14 Aug 2013

The health post at Matolwane/Lesenepole will be upgraded into a clinic as soon as money is available, says the Minister of Health, Dr John Seakgosing.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by the President, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama in Matolwane/Lesenepole on August 8, Dr Seakgosing said government has resolved that all health posts be turned into clinics to better serve the increasing population.

Dr Seakgosing said however that the decision was shelved because Botswana suffered the global economic recession.

Responding to complaints that the health post did not have shelter or waiting room, Dr Seakgosing said the two projects could be undertaken through the Ipelegeng programme.

A shelter and a waiting room would serve as refuge against bad weather.

The minister pleaded with the Matolwane/Lesenepole residents to treat disabled people as equal to able-bodied ones. He said disabled people should not be discriminated against.

One of the residents, Ms Gabotshegelwe Motsonkane, had complained that the Matolwane/Lesenepole residents discriminated against disabled people.

Ms Motsonkane said there were many disabled people in her village but she was the only one benefiting from government initiatives for the disabled such as the youth empowerment one. She said this was disheartening looking at the number of disabled persons in Matolwane/Lesenepole.

Mr Jefferson Siamisang, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, said his ministry was holding workshops throughout the country to induct young Batswana, including disabled ones, into the Youth Empowerment Scheme.

Mr Siamisang said his ministry’s aim was that 3 500 young disabled Batswana should have gone through the programme by the end of the 2013/14 financial year. ENDS