Forty-six lose jobs at Bokamoso

Staff Writer | Wednesday October 20, 2010 00:00

 

The director of marketing and communications at the hospital, Thabiso Botlhole said the retrenchment exercise came after intensive consultations between employee representatives and the institution's management.

He said that the retrenchment affected all departments and was guided by the principle of operational efficiency as per the Employment Act, which places emphasis on qualifications, skills, experience and the current and future needs of the organisation.

Botlhole asserted that the retrenchment exercise was a necessary evil. 'This was a tough but necessary cost-cutting exercise, to bring the operational efficiencies in line with the situation on the ground,' he said.

The hospital said last month that it had to retrench in the face of financial trading conditions as a result of low patient volumes, high operation costs and other difficult external factors. At the time, chief executive officer, Kabelo Ebineng complained that the hospital was not getting enough support from government, parastatals and professional bodies.

The hospital is owned by Botswana government medical insurance schemes - PULA and BPOMAS. Members' subscriptions to these schemes are subsidised 50 percent by government. Ebineng has blamed the government for referring patients to South Africa when Bokamoso has idle capability. The government has not responded to the accusation to date.Botlhole gave assurances that despite the challenges, the hospital will continue to deliver on its mandate and offer health care to all its patients. Currently the 200-bed hospital has over 30 world-class clinics and an accident and emergency wing. It has more specialists than most hospitals in the region.