04 Sep 2024

Parliament on Wednesday adopted a motion requesting government to relocate primary health care to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Takatokwane Member of Parliament, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe noted that his motion was motivated by the current status of health services which he said was not satisfactory.

He said primary health care used to do well under local government, only to decline after take over by central government, under the Ministry of Health.

The primary reason behind the motion is in line with the ongoing move to decentralise government services, he said.

Mr Leuwe’s argument was that back then, when such services were under local authorities, there were hardly challenges of shortage of ambulances, drugs and personnel.

He said each health facility was allocated a vehicle and the move to central government saw clustered villages allocated an ambulance.

Takatokwane legislator said back then, service of ambulances was a priority, therefore, villages hardly lacked transport at health facilities, as they had their own budget.

He said decision making was also decentralised.

In support, specially elected MP, Ms Boitumelo Gofhamodimo said the motion was a positive development as it was in line with the on-going task force mandated to work on the same request.

She said it would be ideal that the motion be amended to speak to a specific area being clinical services.

Ms Gofhamodimo proposed that the motion should read as follows; ‘That this honourable house requests government to relocate clinics to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.'

MP Palelo Motaosane of Thamaga/Kumakwane said councils were doing well in terms of training health personnel and providing other requisite resources.

He said clinics, under councils were well equipped with midwives and transportation.

Mr Motaosane said it was clear the motion was to resuscitate primary health care and improve health services in general.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi though supporting the motion, his fear was whether government was in a position to provide enough funds for primary health care to improve under local authorities.

His worry was whether the move would bear any positive results without necessary funding.

Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said primary health care incorporated education and preventive measures.

He said family welfare programme used to be a paramount aspect of primary health care.

“This is a progressive motion towards health for all,” he said.

Mr Sam Brooks of Kgalagadi South said council used to have a mobile clinic at Banyana Farms, which was now a white elephant though such a facility was built with public funds.

He said the move would ensure that clinics were equipped while upgrading of health posts to cover all corners of constituencies would boost health services.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga said clinics were currently dilapidated and would not be in a position to provide quality health services as they used to do in the past since they were not well resourced.

He said the move was bound to face many challenges likely to hamper the intended result.

Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile was against the motion on the ground that it would not yield any positive results as councils were already overwhelmed and faced by financial constraints.

Mr Reatile said councils were currently struggling to cope with litter collection among others.

He said relocating clinics and health post to the Ministry of Health was meant for health services to be managed by one entity for better service delivery.

Mr Dumelang Saleshando of Maun West said opposition legislators were from the onset against moving clinics and health post to the Ministry of Health.

He said all the reasons being advanced now were given in the past.

Mr Saleshando said clinics were now dilapidated as the initial move was never justified.

He said moving clinics to the Ministry of Health was a mistake. Ends