Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Dr Esperance Luvindao, says that she is aware of the slow service delivery at public hospitals, adding that decongestion strategies are underway.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Lilani Brinkman raised concerns regarding patients waiting for hours before getting served at public hospitals.

She questioned whether this would be the case once PSEMAS members' transition to state-owned facilities is in effect.

"I want to highlight that this is a normal occurrence at a state hospital. It's not something new. But my fear is we had two elderly women on the floor. I don't know whether they could not sit anymore or the wait was too long. They were lying on the floor as they were waiting for treatment. I want to ask the Honourable Minister, can she explain to the House why it is taking so long?"

The health minister responded that insufficient healthcare workers is one of the contributing factors, adding that 70% of the 2,000 workers required have been employed.

The rest, she said, would be appointed before March, when the transition is set to take place.

"The major reason is because of the healthcare workers. What we are doing is recruiting more healthcare workers. When we recruit more healthcare workers, the budget has been announced as well as how much we intend to add to recruit more healthcare workers. That's the first part. The Honourable Member, very passionate about healthcare, which I love, would have noted that we've also gone to extend operating hours of certain clinics. Maxwilili Clinic is also now operating 24/7. Okuryangava Clinic was supposed to have started sooner but will be commencing from the 1st of April. So yes, we agree with the Honourable Member. There is work to be done."

The minister says efforts are underway to increase operational hours at various clinics to address the congestion matter.