According to a recently released report by the Ombudsman Stephen Tiroyakgosi, the effect and impact of the systemic failures on the public health system are clinical, financial, ethical and social. The Ombudsman posits that the systemic inefficiencies come with heavy financial consequences. The investigation revealed that facilities have and continue to resort to emergency interventions to rectify failures.
“For instance, hospitals have reported insufficient budget to be a challenge, consequently, hospitals are unable to function optimally. Additionally, hospitals end up outsourcing certain services. For example, at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital, the government pays millions of Pula to the private sector for the service of airlifting of critical patients,” the report states.
For years, we have rightly celebrated our world-class HIV response. The PMTCT programme has been its crown jewel, ensuring HIV-positive mothers could safely nurture their newborns without fear of transmission. Now, a leaked memo exposes a terrifying reality that the lifeline has been frayed to breaking point.
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A key warehouse in Francistown stands empty, and access is being rationed. Official reassurances about expected consignments ring hollow to…
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