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Francistown Mayor Godisang Ladisigo is unhappy with the ongoing lack of key medical staff at Nyangabugwe Referral Hospital, which is affecting the services provided to patients at the hospital. The overwhelmed hospital currently serves nearly 100,000 patients from the northern region. He said complaints have increased as a result, mainly due to long waiting times. Ladisigo spoke at a full parliamentary session on Monday.
“This shortage is affecting critical departments in the hospital. Stakeholders are engaging in developing plans to reduce the waiting list within the second quarter of 2024,” he said.
On a positive note, he said it was encouraging that the hospital had since embraced digitalisation, with the introduction of a digital online customer satisfaction feedback and staff satisfaction survey. Through this technology initiative, which was launched in May this year, customers can now electronically provide feedback on their experience with service delivery. Staff at the hospital can also conveniently provide feedback on their health status using an electronic tool through an online survey. However, the mayor also expressed concern over the delay in the massive refurbishment of the hospital. Nyangabgwe Hospital is currently undergoing refurbishment of its major infrastructure.
“The delay is due to the ongoing tender appeal process as one of the bidders has challenged the award decision,” he said.
He disclosed that the hospital has partnered with another organization, Kids OR, to create pediatric operating rooms at Prince Marina Hospital and Nyangabgwe Hospital. The project will include the conversion of existing spaces into pediatric operating rooms, the purchase of equipment, and the training of staff. The project is expected to receive approximately P32,746,927 in funding. Radisigo also said that the hospital has commissioned two other projects, namely the construction of an archive room for medical records and an isolation room for patients with highly infectious diseases.
“In addition, another major project is nearing completion, which is the installation of a 10,000-litre oxygen tank at Jubilee Hospital to meet the oxygen needs of the hospital wards,” the mayor added.
Among other important health issues, he said the Francistown District Health Management Team (DHMT) currently has 15 medical officers responsible for 16 clinics in the city. He said the team recently received dentists who will provide oral health services in the city. This is in addition to the family doctors reported last year.
“We hope this will reduce the waiting time at our clinic. As part of the Transitional National Development Plan, a new TB laboratory will be constructed at the ltekeng (W Region) clinic. The laboratory will serve the entire northern part of the country and the contractor is finalizing site mobilization,” he said.
“Harmonization of the districts will simplify coordination, participation in activities and projects, and reporting to the DHMT. Other districts like Tutume have already started the process and our district will soon follow,” Radisigo stressed
He also revealed that the Tonga Clinic is currently preparing to undergo an accreditation assessment by the Commission on Health Services Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA). COHSASA is an international body that assesses clinics and hospitals to ensure they meet international health standards. This assessment is scheduled to take place in November 2024.
Meanwhile, Radicigo told the city council meeting that the availability of medicines continued to improve, with the average availability of critical medicines at 91 percent, essential medicines at 88 percent, non-essential medicines at 87 percent and non-drugs at 90 percent by May 2024.
“DHMT continues to utilize small purchases to procure both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products while awaiting supply from CMS,” he said.
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