30 May 2016

The Cuban community in Botswana has embarked on a nationwide tour to motivate and mitigate new lifestyles and emerging diseases in the country.

Speaking in an interview during Mmathethe wellness day on May 28, Assistant Minister of Health Dr Alfred Madigele applauded the Cuban community for their good gesture noting that such a move augmented health management systems in the country.

Dr Madigele who is also MP for Mmathethe-Molapowabojang said the delegation found it fit to start in Mmathethe after which the project would be rolled-out to other parts of the country.

He said the Cuban community wanted to lend a helping hand in the country, emphasising that the delegation appreciated that Botswana had been battling with HIV/AIDS but now that the disease had stabilised and were now focusing on lifestyle and emerging diseases.

He expressed gratitude to the delegation noting that they are doing the exercise at their own expense. He said the delegation explored modalities on how best to execute the project.

For her part, head of the Cuban delegation, Dr Mairelys Gonzalez said as part of the Cuban community residing in Botswana they were provoked by a trend of lifestyle and emerging diseases in the country hence found it fit to assist communities in elimination of diseases.

Dr Gonzalez who is also a family physician at Bokamoso Private Hospital said the objective of the day was to bring professional health care to Mmathethe community and villages in the periphery.

She said they were screening for diseases such as cervical and breast cancer, hypertension, asthma, sugar diabetes and also conducted eye tests as well as providing appropriate treatment for these diseases.
She however noted that they also refered patients to some health institutions for further health management and care.

She said the delegation discovered that the community was prone to anemia and arthritis. Dr Gonzalez said the delegation comprised 12 medical specialists in various areas to deal with challenging health situations.
She thanked the area MP for being part of the wellness day as well as Bokamoso Hospital for providing the team with medical equipment and transport. Ends