06 Apr 2025

Contractors are currently on site to refurbish the acute wards at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, with one ward already handed over in December 2024.

The Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse told Parliament that there was  frequent vandalism of the facility by patients noting that to this end, major renovations were required to attend to other sectors of the hospital, but limited owing to budgetary constraints. Furthermore, he said the ministry had engaged the fire department to conduct assessment and recommendations in order to address challenges of vandalised facilities and non functioning equipment.

On the issue of staff shortage at the facility, Mr Ookeditse said the ministry had sent a number of health professionals for further training in psychiatric related courses. He noted that last year, five psychiatrists graduated, while 16 more were expected to graduate in the next three years, with an additional 65 psychiatric nurse specialists also expected to graduate within the next year. Furthermore, Mr Ookeditse said the ministry was in discussions with the University of Botswana to decentralise training, which would also increase psychiatric services in Botswana.

As for accommodation, the assistant minister highlighted that the leadership of the hospital was working closely with the Office of the District Commissioner to help where possible. Additionally, he said currently, there were only 60 houses against a staff compliment of 330.

Lobatse MP, Mr Kamal Jacobs had wanted to know if the minister was aware of the state and situation at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, particularly in terms of health risks, that included patients’ well-being, state of the facility and well-being of employees. ENDS