No condoms to singles

Kanye Seventh Day Adventist Hospital does not issue contraceptives such as condoms to singles. The Christian health facility located in the village held Botsogo Pitso Programme at Ra-Mongala ward, behind Mongala Mall Shopping Centre yesterday, where hospital management representatives disclosed that the hospital does not supply condoms to unmarried people, regardless of their age. Residents heard that the hospital, which opens 24 hours and closes outpatient department only on weekends, intends to offer villagers best services. Many of the villagers expressed outrage at this policy. They said that they often return from the hospital unattended due to the hospital’s poor service. Thandie Moletsane, 41, said she recently visited the hospital to ask for contraceptives, but returned empty handed after being told that the hospital only provides those services to married couples. When responding to Moletsane, one of the hospital management staff at the Pitso Programme, Mido Matsoga said it was true the hospital does not promote sex before marriage. “It is just like that, Ke tumelo ya kereke and the hospital’s way of operation, and it is never going to change,” she said. Matsoga said the hospital offers sex education to the singles and encourage them to abstain from sex. She said that the hospital is currently experiencing shortage of nurses. “Most of our nurses were transferred, and we, as the hospital management have engaged the Health Ministry and asked them to replace the transferred nurses, but no action has been taken,” she said. Another angry resident Keitiretse Tlhotlhe, 65, told The Midweek Sun that action should be taken against the hospital so that it offers services to everyone as it opens 24 hours. “I am aware that the hospital does not provide contraceptives to singles and are trying by all means to prevent early indulgence in sex,” she said. Ward councilor Kabelo Lemme, told the hospital management that they understand that Seventh Day Adventist Hospital is a Christian health facility, but it should understand that it offers services to the entire community of diverse beliefs.