05 Nov 2017

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Khumo Seipone says resources to run a medical school are expensinve.

Speaking at a fundraising dinner organised by second year students of the University of Botswana School of Medicine on behalf of the Minister of Health and Wellness on November 4, Dr Seipone said government was committed to ensuring that the health sector was equipped with enough resources to cater for everyone.

She said Batswana should be proud to have a medical school, adding that the country was on the right track to improve the lives of citizens.

Dr Seipone, who is the director of health services, said study of medicine was a social responsibility, adding that it was against such background that the country managed to control HIV/AIDS and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

She advised students that they were born to serve, adding “do exactly that even though you may be having social and family issues.”

She also advised them to serve first before looking for remuneration.

“Health professionals are there to serve despite financial challenges. Therefore, as would be doctors, you should make a difference in the health system,” she added.

She said the ministry was working on restructuring to come up with better programmes in order to improve on the health sector.

For his part, tacting head at the University of Botswana’s pediatrics, Dr Dipesalema Joel also said the country was doing well in the fight against HIV/AIDS despite the challenges.

Dr Dipesalema said the war against HIV/AIDS should continue until the country registered zero infections.

He said any success story of any country came with its new generation because young people were innovative.

“We need innovative people like you to complement government’s efforts because government alone cannot achieve anything,” he said, adding that proceeds from the fundraining dinner would “push us a milestone.”

Nevertheless, he appealed to students to conquer the world and become health ambassadors of their country.

In an interview, Dr Maikutlo Kebaetse explained that each year the school organised a fundraising dinner which was also a special welcome for new students into the institution. ENDS