01 May 2017

Batswana came in large scores to witness the ground breaking of a new private hospital named Sidilega Private Hospital in Gaborone’s Block 7, which is expected to be completed in 2018.

The citizen owned hospital is expected to attract Batswana and the rest of the SADC region for medical and health care services.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony last Friday, Minister of Health and Wellness, Ms Dorcas Makgato said the hospital was a value addition to the health sector.

She highlighted that the hospital directors had positioned themselves well by targeting the rest of the SADC region.

Ms Makgato adviced the owners against charging unreasonable prices when the hospital begins its operations, “Get your pricing and quality right, I have no doubt that

Sidiliega has a potential to be a health care centre of choice in the region,” she noted.

She stated that the health sector contributed to the economic growth, adding that with the 300 jobs to be created, Batswana would benefit.

The minister said competition in the health sector was needed so as to challenge health providers to offer quality service.

Ms Makgato said the new hospital would increase the number of specialists in Botswana and offer some of the services that government could not offer in the health sector.

Giving his remarks on the investment perspective of the hospital, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) Deputy, CEO, Mr Meshack Tshekedi said this was a big project for Botswana as it carried economic benefits and would generate employment.

He highlighted that whenever investors came to a country, they looked into such issues as infrastructure development and the health sector itself.

He said health made a huge contribution to a country’s economy and further improved the profile of the country.

Giving remarks on the project, Dr Motsholathebe Phuthego said he and his partners saw a gap in the health care infrastructure in the region, hence the idea of this hospital was conceived.

He said the hospital would comprise of 103 beds offering special care from Oncology, physiotherapy, gaenacology, Emergency services and Intensive care, among others.

He said Sidilega was passionate about health care because its directors and owners were medical doctors.

MP for Gaborone Bonnington North, Mr Duma Boko commended the directors of the hospital for spreading their area of expertise by offering more services that were not available in Botswana.

He noted that according to the constitution of Botswana, every person had a right to life, adding that health and wellness were part of that life.

He encouraged the contractors to execute the project according to the budget and time scales to motivate others to follow suit. ENDS