20 Apr 2015

Princess Marina Hospital has decided to suspend, with immediate effect, routine patient referrals to all hospitals in South Africa (SA) due to the sporadic xenophobia attacks.

A press release from the hospital stated that this was done to take into consideration safety of staff and patients. Attacks occurred in few areas in South Africa, but could have ripple effect, stated the release.

However, referral arrangements for patients with life threatening conditions and emergencies would continue. Transportation of patients with the above mentioned conditions had been done to avoid loss of life.

Travel arrangements for patients who had been discharged from South African Hospitals were done through Healthshare Integrated Solutions and the Botswana Consulate in Johannesburg.

Private ambulances from South Africa will collect patients at the boarder post or use Medical Rescue International Air support as usual.

The decision was taken after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s advice that Batswana should delay their travel to South Africa until the situation normalised.

Ends