Health Ministry still grappling with shortage of specialists

The Ministry of Health is experiencing a shortage of specialists, especially in the surgical services.This was revealed by the Minister of Health Dr Steven Modise who stated that there is also a high attrition rate of specialists employed in government. The minister indicated that at present there are only eight orthopedic surgeons in the public sector. These specialists, he said are based at Princess Marina and Nyangabgwe Referral Hospitals.“The ministry is in partnership with a non-profit organisation (Airborne Life) to provide specialist outreach services to Hukuntsi Primary Hospital and Ghanzi Primary Hospital on a monthly basis depending on the availability of specialists and the flight schedule of the partners. The organisation relies on specialists based mainly at our two referral hospitals,” the minister told Ntlo ya Dikgosi.He stated that due to the serious shortage of orthopedic surgeons, there has not been an orthopaedic outreach to Hukuntsi since August 2023. He further revealed that orthopedic patients are being referred to Princess Marina Hospital for further care.According to Dr Modise, strategies that they are using to alleviate the shortage of specialists in general and to reduce the long waiting periods of patients include, the Ministry has relations with Cuba and China for provision of specialists; working with private sector to outsource urgent cases to prevent complications; Partnerships with other stakeholders/partners to reduce surgical backlogs; the Ministry is currently engaging private specialists to work within government health facilities; and Ministry of Health is also engaging with DPSM to improve the working conditions and remunerations to attract and retain specialists.“In the short to long term, the ministry has increased the number of staff that has been sent for specialist training. One Motswana orthopedic surgeon graduated last month and one more is expected to complete his studies this year. These doctors will be absorbed back into the public system. Opening up of SKMTH to the public and implanting its teaching mandate - this will allow for local training of specialists, including orthopaedic surgeons,” Dr Modise added.The minister told Ntlo Ya Dikgosi that the Ministry has also made a deliberate decision to re-invest in and reprioritise primary health care in an effort to reduce the need for specialized services.These initiatives, he said when fully implemented will reduce surgical backlogs and ensure universal health coverage to all.He revealed that the Ministry is aware of the water challenges is Hukuntsi Primary hospital. Currently there are seven (7) 5000L water back-up tanks that are connected to main water supply the hospital. The main problem in the hospital is the inadequate water reticulation as the water pipes are blocked by lime deposits from hard water.Dr Modise was responding to a question from Kgosi Charles Paledi of Kgalagadi North who asked the minister to explain to Ntlo Ya Dikgosi why the arrangement of visiting specialist doctors such as the orthopedic surgeon who used to visit the Hukuntsi Primary Hospital was stopped.

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Health Ministry still grappling with shortage of specialists