24 Jan 2016

The Tuberculosis Isolation Ward at Princess Marina Hospital recently received donations from Symphony Health, Medswana, Osei-Ofei Swabi Attorneys and MRI Botswana.

Symphony Health donated a shade while Medswana gave the ward with two bookshelves and fitness dumbbells. 

The law firm donated a plasma television set while MRI Botswana handed over motivational books to the public health facility.

Ms Mpho Mudongo, a social worker at the hospital, explained that they realised that their patients require positive reinforcers to cope with stressors such as being isolated from their loved ones and having to take a lot of medication. 

She said they learned through their interactions in group sessions that the patients needed mental stimulation. 

She said they then approached the benefactors last year for help.

Ms Mudongo said patients were brought to the ward so that they do not infect their families and the public. The ward admits patients from the southern part of the country.  They are screened on arrival to assess whether they require psychosocial support or other relevant intervention.

She said patients have difficulty admitting that they have the TB virus and have to spend five to six months quarantined. 

“As a social worker, our duty is to ensure that they get through all these challenges,” she said.

For her part, the founder and CEO of Symphony Health, Ms Rose Taledi said they chose the hospital as a beneficiary of their social investment programme with their initial donation channeled towards the paediatric clinic. 

She related that they engaged their business associates to pool resources together to help the patients. The TB coordinator at the hospital, Ms Cynthia Caphuis lauded Symphony and its partners, saying the donations would educate and entertain patients.

She said the shade would help patients when they spend time outdoors. Ends