05 Oct 2015

Head of division in the faculty of medicine and health sciences at Stellenbosch University, Professor Xikombiso Mbhenyane says the health workforce provides the fundamental services needed to ensure safe communities.

Speaking at the third graduation ceremony of 1 147 graduates from Boitekanelo College held in Gaborone recently, Ms Mbhenyane said it was important to give the right training to the right people, so as to create an effective workforce for the delivery of health care.

She said health training institutions such as schools, universities and training colleges should provide health workers with the knowledge and competencies for jobs they would be required to do.
Ms Mbhenyane said the graduates of Boitekanelo College would therefore add value and transformation to the health care system of Botswana from what they had learnt at the college.

She encouraged the graduates to keep working hard as they face the industry and thrive for success to reap the fruits of their efforts, and to provide health service.

Meanwhile, the public relations officer of Boitekanelo College, Ms Kagiso Motsumi noted that the graduates were indeed ready to face the industry as they went through practicals in hospitals during their attachments.

Ms Motsumi said Boitekanelo College aims to be the source of health manpower so as to produce graduates who could work in Botswana and even outside the country. She said the skills acquired by the graduates would benefit this country, if they were given the opportunity to do so.

The graduation ceremony was held under the theme, Competent health workforce, a responsive strategy for the 21st century. Students graduated with certificates to diplomas in various disciplines such as occupational health safety and health care management. Ends