16 Oct 2016

After successfully performing their first open surgery on August 13, and with four cases which yielded results and success, Bokamoso Private Hospital (BPH) officially launched their open Heart Surgery recently.
And the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Ms Shenaaz El-Halabi has applauded the hospital for the development.
“A special recognition to the Bokamoso Cardiac team who work tirelessly every day to save lives, a mandate which we all subscribe to,” she said.
Ms El-Halabi said the country was witnessing an increase in non-communicable diseases, adding that it was important that appropriate care is provided at all levels.
She however, expressed discomfort that there was scarcity of human resources  in the country, in terms of provision of adequate services for different heart related disorders.
“This event brings us together today, since it complements our efforts in areas that  are a priority and brings a lot of positive results for our nation and also our health industry. We are pleased that BPH has taken this great initiative upon them to save lives and to take Botswana’s health care to greater heights,” she said.
Ms El-Halabi said when BPH was built in 2009, the primary goal was to be a specialist hospital providing advanced surgeries.
“I understand that currently the hospital has managed to attract a pool of different specialities into our country to improve the health care system and it has contributed positively to saving cost for the ministry and the country at large,” she said.
She however noted that, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has also been working in the area since 2012 through collaboration with the Mauritian cardiac team.
Ms El-Halabi commended the management of BPH for ensuring that there was transfer of skills to the citizens.
“I am told that 80 per cent of the open heart surgery team are local citizens, that is the Intensive Care Unit anaesthetist, Dr Namanyane, the nurses in the theatre and surgical ward,” she said.
She said Bokamoso was aiming to build 100 per cent local team in the future, the fruits that she said the international investment should be bearing.
For his part, while sharing part of the journey, The chief executive officer of Bokamoso, Mr Andre Ackerman, said there were many challenges which they have overcome in reaching where they were.
He said the project faced challenges in the areas of obtaining registration for new disciplines, obtaining work permits, with the biggest challenges being procurement of medical items not available in Botswana.
“We are proud to say BPH is the first institution in the private sector to do open heart surgery. Our cardiac team of 30 members consists of more than 80 per cent of Botswana citizens. We are proud that the open heart surgery project has started and we look forward to improving many people’s health in the future,” he said. ENDS