Saleshando slams Govt. over health collapse
Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Dumelang Saleshando, has questioned the ruling party's spending priorities as Health Minister Dr Stephen Modise admitted that the public health system cannot provide comprehensive services due to mounting debt exceeding P1 billion.
Saleshando charged that the government has blown nearly P1 billion on expensive foreign trips and private photographers while patients queue for life-saving medicines that are no longer available.
“How can anyone, including Batswana, have motivation to help when money is seemingly being used carelessly on non-important things when life is the one that should be heavily invested in?” Saleshando asked.
He tore into the ruling party for making deliberate campaign lies, particularly the promise of National Health Insurance that would allow citizens to access medical care anywhere using a card.
“You got into power knowing the financial situation of the country, yet you made promises. You promised Batswana National Health Insurance, where a Motswana will be able to use their card to get medical attention anywhere. But as it is, even before it comes, we are worse off than we were before the elections.”
His attack came as Dr Modise provided grim details of a health system in freefall, with the government owing P433 million to private hospitals and unable to purchase essential medicines or medical
supplies like sutures and dressings.
The crisis has forced the suspension of the Chronic Medicines Dispensing Programme, leaving thousands of patients who relied on private pharmacies scrambling to access medications at overstretched public facilities.
The government has also halted referrals for non-urgent surgeries, including joint replacements, prosthetic eye insertions, and organ transplants to private hospitals, restricting private care to only life-threatening ICU cases and dialysis.
The financial haemorrhage stems from expensive outsourcing costs, with ICU services alone costing P300 million annually and dialysis requiring P156 million yearly. Budget allocations of P254 million for medical fees were exhausted, paying off old debts.
Saleshando demanded a government-wide spending review to redirect resources toward health, arguing that 'health is very expensive and critical, a life is not cheap.'
Modise pushed back against the criticism, insisting that the government maintains ambitious plans for the nation.
'We are going to stimulate the economy; it's not all lost. We are not spreading a message of doom. We have lofty ambitions for this nation, and the current situation does not mean we give up on them.'
The Minister said the government has prioritised life-saving interventions by cutting costs elsewhere, and is negotiating emergency funding while exploring partnerships with international organisations like UNICEF to secure cheaper medicines.
Modise promised the crisis is temporary and assured Parliament of regular updates, but offered no timeline for when normal services would resume or when the promised health insurance scheme might be delivered.