18 Oct 2017

Ministry of Health and Wellness is spearheading the health hub concept, which aims to position the country as a hub for medical and health excellence.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele at the Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing groundbreaking ceremony in Ramotswa on Tuesday.

He said the health hub initiative would serve as a vehicle for medical tourism promotion and medical health investments.

“This project resonates quite well with the aspirations of the health hub given that ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialty is a key niche in the region,” he said.

He stated that the facility would greatly diversify the economy of the South East region and beyond, through local procurement and employment creation during and after construction.

As such, the investment would go a long way in shaping and adding value to Botswana’s health and wellness services and the economy.

He further applauded the school and hospital for their commitment in providing quality health services and training excellence, adding that the hospital had been a worthy partner over the years.

He stated that Bamalete School of Nursing was also bound by the regulatory frameworks, with regard to quality assurance and international accreditation.

“It is therefore pleasing to learn that this undertaking is part of your compliance strategy in ensuring you attain the highest standards,” Mr Makgalemele said.

The School of Nursing principal, Ms Martha Mothibe said the school has always existed along the hospital and developed overtime.

She said nurse aids were trained on the job to support most of the basic patient care until 1974 when it enrolled students.

The project was however challenged and was later suspended by authorities on account of inability to attract suitably qualified staff, but it reopened in 1996.

She said since re-opening, the school achieved outstanding results, but quality assurance bodies were critical about the school’s lack of expansion space.

“It was against this background that land had been requested from Malete Land Board to relocate the school,” she added.

Earlier, Balete deputy chief, Kgosi Tsimane Mokgosi said the structure would improve the area.

Further, he stated that Balete and Lutheran Mission had a long history of partnering in development projects, and cited the establishment of a hospital and schools.

Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing intends to build a multi-dimensional campus and its phase one, which is schedule for 20 weeks, would cost about P2.7 million.
 

The project is anticipated to have a 100-student capacity in the specialised areas of midwifery, pediatric nursing and ENT nursing.ENDS