The transfer of primary healthcare functions from the Ministry of Health to that of Local Government and Traditional Affairs is expected to bring healthcare management closer to communities, allowing for more tailored and responsive healthcare interventions.
Speaking at the handing over celebration in Gumare recently, Okavango District Council (ODC) chairperson Gaopalelwe Ronald said the transition will improve health service delivery and coordination.
Ronald added that the transition means that all clinics, health posts and mobile stops now belong to the district council. He said the facilities will also be accompanied by medial equipment, 137 stuff houses, 21 ambulances, 3 boat ambulances and 6 administrative vehicles that will support the health care services in the district.
Ronald said that although the movable assets, stuff houses, health services equipment and vehicles will relocate forthwith, employees will be relocated gradually. This means that the approach to the transfer will be in phases and communities are requested to be patient and take it step by step.
He said there are implementing projects like the Kauxwi and Sepopa clinics which will continue being constructed under the ministry of health and shall be handed over to council after completion. The chairperson also said that they commit and will continue advocating for the project to be completed and provide the needed health care services and support that the community has been awaiting.
He urged local communities to take advantage of the local government of the health sector by utilizing health services on time and adhere to treatment of any alarming diagnosis. “The clinics and mobile services are meant to save lives and we should not let our health deteriorate when we have services closer to us,” Ronald added.
For her part, the Okavango DHMT Coordinator Dr Bokwena Moali highlighted that the transition means that health services will be easily accessible and improved. She added that there will be improved services delivery and that all health campaigns, should it be the vitamin A campaign, HPV vaccination campaign or condom distribution campaign will also be improved as primary health services transition to local government and traditional affairs. The coordinator further encouraged the community to fully receive services.
Meanwhile, Dr Moali has stressed that the region is experiencing high Malaria cases and advised the community to report any suspicious symptoms to the nearest clinic at the earliest convenience. According to her, there are 1200 malaria cases currently registered in Okavango district and a single case of death. Dr Moali stated that Okavango region contributes 80% of the malaria cases in Botswana.
