Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Botswana Gazette
Published on 2024-02-14 18:53:00
The Assistant Minister of Health, Sethomo Lelatisitswe, has been under fire for a controversial social media post that he shared recently. The post featured a nurse being attacked by members of the community in a kgotla meeting in Lelatisitswe’s constituency of Boteti East for allegedly refusing to attend to a child after hours. This incident led to demands from the Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) for Lelatisitswe to publicly apologize to the nurses for his post.
The Secretary General of BONU, Lebogang Phillip, stated that despite their demands, Lelatisitswe has ignored the request for an apology. BONU had given him an ultimatum to apologize or risk being reported to its federation. The union expressed its disappointment at the assistant minister’s actions, especially considering that he had used a public platform to attack the nursing fraternity, tarnishing their professional image.
Nearly a month after the controversial post was made, Lelatisitswe further aggravated the situation by accusing the nurse who was attacked at the kgotla of refusing to give medical attention to a child after hours and enjoying overtime allowance. BONU highlighted the fact that the assistant minister’s post not only failed to acknowledge the unsafe and insecure environment that nurses face in their line of duty but also encouraged the public to abuse nurses during their rest periods.
Despite the lack of response from Lelatisitswe, BONU appreciated the fact that he had at least removed the controversial post from his social media accounts, acknowledging that their letter of demand had made some impact. However, the union maintained that the removal of the post did not absolve him from the need to apologize for his actions.
The union’s letter to Lelatisitswe condemned his behavior and expressed embarrassment at the Ministry of Health’s failure to provide a safe and secure environment for nurses across the country. They criticized the assistant minister for his insensitive post that ridiculed the nursing profession.
Efforts to reach Lelatisitswe for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to enquiries from the media. The BONU Secretary General expressed the union’s disappointment at the assistant minister’s lack of accountability and failure to address the issue with the seriousness it warranted.
The controversy surrounding Lelatisitswe’s social media post has highlighted the strained relationship between the Ministry of Health and the nursing fraternity in Botswana. BONU’s demand for a public apology from the assistant minister reflects the severity of the situation and the urgent need for accountability and respect for the nursing profession.
In conclusion, the ongoing dispute between the Botswana Nurses Union and Assistant Minister of Health, Sethomo Lelatisitswe, underscores the importance of upholding professional standards and mutual respect within the healthcare sector. The demand for an apology from Lelatisitswe serves as a reminder of the ethical obligations that public officials have towards supporting and respecting the essential work of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses.
Read the original article on The Botswana Gazette
