Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Kolaatamo Malefho allegedly reports to his former junior and current Permanent Secretary Shenaaz El-Halabi.
President Ian Khama last month transferred Malefho to the Medical School as Project Management Coordinator “with immediate effect,” but he is still based at the Ministry of Health. There are even claims that Malefho is reluctant to join the Medical School in protest against his transfer.
Responding to Sunday Standard queries, Ministry of Health spokesperson Doreen Motshegwa said “the ministry cannot comment on the allegations.┬á But we can tell you that Dr. Malefho accepted the deployment to and has started work with the Teaching Hospital. Dr. Malefho is with the Teaching hospital. The hospital falls under the Ministry of Health but is located at the University of Botswana premises.”
Asked to comment on reports that Dr Malefho now reports to her former junior , Motshegwa was non-committal save to say “The Permanent Secretary in every government office is the accounting officer, and the accounting officer of the Ministry of Health is Ms Shenaaz El-Halabi.”┬á
She added that “It is worth noting that the two offices of Ministry of Health and the Teaching Hospital work hand-in- hand as the hospital falls under the Ministry of health.”
Motshegwa defended Malefho’s continued presence at the Ministry’s headquarter premises saying “Dr. Malefho is temporarily housed at MoH headquarters until office accommodation is addressed at the Teaching Hospital. The head of the Ministry as mentioned above is the Permanent Secretary.”
The Medical School has been operational since 2009.  To date 31 medical students have graduated from the school.
“The Teaching Hospital on the other hand is meant to facilitate students of the medical school.┬á Currently students utilise the Princess Marina hospital for their practicals.┬á The students will utilise the Teaching Hospital as soon as it is functional,” said Motshegwa.
