30 Mar 2025

 Port health services at border posts are among the primary health care services, being transferred to Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs. 

The secretariat of the delegation for the consultation on the relocation of primary health care services, Mr Boiki Mosarwa told Letlhakeng District Council recently.

This transition, set to take effect on April 1, he said was expected to proceed in a fair, transparent and seamless manner and should not negatively affect customers, adding that there should be significant improvements instead.

He said while transferring of staff was underway, employees with specialised expertise would be shared between clinics and hospitals, saying it was an unfortunate situation, ‘we do not want one person to serve in two ministries.’ He added that in some cases, an individual might end up serving in more than two districts.

He said, while the human resources department was still addressing structural issues, there was a proposal for primary health care unit overseen by a deputy council secretary, who would also be responsible for environmental health unit. 

As a result, he stated that each council would have four deputy council secretaries.

He said the procurement of medicinal drugs for government heath institutions would continue to be managed by Central Medical Stores, which in turn distribute it according to existing channels. 

However, he mentioned that there would be micro-procurement of medicines or drugs at the council level. ENDS