25 Apr 2016

Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato, has emphasised the importance of prevention rather than cure saying if that could be achieved, more lives would be saved.

Addressing residents of Mantshwabise in Kweneng District on Friday, the minister noted with concern that of late, there had been a growing trend of lifestyle diseases also termed as non-communicable diseases which she said were robbing Batswana of their loved ones.

She expressed concern that while such lifestyle diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes could easily be avoided through a healthy diet and exercise, it had proven difficult for many to follow a healthy lifestyle.

She said it was an individual’s responsibility to ensure that they adopted a healthy diet as well as incorporating exercises in their daily activities adding that exercising to keep fit does not have to be strenuous.

She explained that her ministry had taken a decision to focus on prevention rather than curative which she said was notable of initiatives such as health walks, Human Papilloma Virus vaccine campaign, as well as extension of the PMTCT programme to expectant mother who have tested HIV positive.

The minister said since assuming  office she had so far visited about 160 clinics around the country. She encouraged residents especially men to make use of health facilities cautioning them to be wary of Cancer as they were also at risk.

Ms Makgato reminded residents to accustom themselves to hygiene at all times emphasising that the expansion of the clinic or provision of more nurses was not an answer to good health if the former lacked.

She said just like any government ministry, they were faced with challenges among them shortage of vehicles, doctors and how to retain them.

On retaining doctors, she told residents that the ministry had benchmarked against countries among them Namibia and the United Kingdom on how best they attract and retain them. The minister also said they had engaged doctors from China, Cuba and Mauritius to address  shortage.

Residents appreciated the minister’s visit and her emphasis on the need to keep healthy. Earlier on one of the village elders Mr Mohobetsane Tsiang briefed the minister that the village clinic currently operated with one nurse hence the need to avail one more given the number of patients assisted on daily basis. He also called for expansion of the clinic and the RADs hostels.  Mr Tsiang said congestion at the RADs hostels accommodating pupils at the primary school was a risk factor for communicable diseases.

For his part, the area MP, Mr Liakat Kably advised residents to take heed of the minister’s words. He also appreciated the expansion of Letlhakeng clinic saying it would serve the region well.

The Letlhakeng-Lephephe legislator also requested that projects that had long been marked for Mantshwabisi be included in the other phases of the ESP. ENDS