02 Mar 2015

The Ministry of Health has embraced the National Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation as well as the President’s Housing Appeal whose objective is to provide shelter to the less privileged members of society.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for a two bedroomed house in Artesia on February 27, the Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato, said the day marked one of their milestones towards the fullfiment of their social responsibility as a ministry.

She said the event resonated well with the national health objectives because their interest was to see that basic accommodation was addressed as one of the critical factors of social determinant of health.

Minister Makgato further said they had since carried out several projects aimed at uplifting the lives of Batswana, adding that to date they had handed over seven houses to deserving recipients.

She said the houses did not only shelter individuals but they also changed the landscape of the villages in which they are built and also contributed to the economic and social development of different villages. Ms Makgato said the total estimated cost to complete the envisaged house stood at P150 000 against the cash at hand of P50 000.

“The ministry continues to raise funds through various ways and I am confident that even with the uncertainty of where funds are going to come from, the house will be completed on time and budget,” said minister Makgato.

She appealed to the business community to make their contribution towards the completion of the project, adding that together they could make a difference.

Minister Makgato extended her gratitude to Kgosi George Tlhwane and his community for their immense contribution towards the project, adding that in terms of community involvement, Artesia had come tops beating other villages.

She said she understood that through the leadership of Kgosi Tlhwane, the community had pledged a 2000 litre-jojo tank for water storage, identified a builder, as well as labourers to work on the project.

She cautioned relatives against family fights due to the project advising them that the project should bring the family together so that they lived in unity and harmony.

When giving an overview of the project, Ms Mpho Mongate from the Ministry of Health said the project started back in 2012 when they read from the Echo Newspaper about an 80-year-old woman who was suffering.

She said they followed the case and found the old woman and then contacted the social worker who told them that the woman had already been assisted by someone.

Ms Mongate said it was then that the social worker suggested and recommended someone else who was also in dire need and it was after learning about the beneficiary that they decided to go through with the project.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi George Tlhwane of Artesia said he was grateful for the opportunity to be accorded to the beneficiary - an 18-year-old young man.

He said the Ministry of Health staff had gone beyond the call of duty and wanted to instill dignity in one of their countrymen.

Kgosi Tlhwane further said that showed that Batswana continued to take part in the attainment of Vision 2016 which comes to end next year.

When giving a vote of thanks, MP for Mochudi West Mr Gilbert Mangole reiterated the advice from Minister Makgato that the house should not bring disunity in the family but rather joy because someone had been assisted with love and care.

He commended the ministry for a job well done and encouraged them to continue doing the good job towards the culmination of Vision 2016. ENDS