21 Aug 2024

The Ministry of Health remains committed to make Kumakwane Clinic operate for 24 hours, Assistant Minister of Health, Honourable Setlhomo Lelatisitswe has said.

Honorable Lelatisitswe said this when answering a question in Parliament on Monday.

He explained that Kumakwane Clinic had not been able to commence the 24-hour service pending structural changes and shortage of staff.

He said the clinic currently had five general nurses, two midwives and was scheduled to be covered by doctors from Thamaga Primary Hospital on an outreach basis at the beginning of next month.

On one hand, he said expansion of the maternity wing was a priority project but it could not be implemented due to budgetary constraints.

“My ministry had planned to expand the maternity wing during the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP), however, the project could not be implemented due to budgetary limitations. The available budget could only accommodate staff houses, ambulance and procurement of information, communication and technology (ICT) equipment. The project will be prioritized for funding in the near future,” he said.

Thamaga-Kumakwane MP, Mr Palelo Motaosane had asked the minister to state when the Kumakwane clinic would operate 24 hours as promised. ENDS