27 Jun 2018

Pitso is an important tool for deliberating on the successes and challenges besieging the health sector.

This was said Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Alfred Madigele at Princess Marina Hospital 4th Stakeholder Pitso at Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Centre on June 26.

“It is through a forum such as this one where as stakeholders we have to engage in dialogue in order to keep track of where we are, in relation to where we are coming from and where we want to go,’’ said Dr Madigele.

He said he expected the forum to come up with ideas to improve health service delivery, while giving participants an opportunity to interact, reflect and refocus strategies.

The health system, he said, continued to experience challenges such as emerging and re-emerging diseases, human resources capacity, technologies and financial constraints which negated efforts towards the achievement of health goals.

Dr Madigele urged stakeholders to encourage customers to follow the referral system by going to the clinics first before going to hospitals.

“This pitso could not have come at a more opportune time than this one, as my ministry is very much engaged in coming up with strategies aimed at improving healthcare in Botswana,” Dr Madigele said.

Participants were also urged to encourage members of the public to avoid lifestyle diseases by conducting regular physical activities like exercising.

In addition, Dr Madigele said  they must work together for an effective and efficient health system as well as to help overcome bottlenecks to achieve national and global health goals.

He said there was ample evidence that effective consultation and partnership were associated with the comprehensiveness and quality of services provided.

“Let me note with appreciation, the important role you as stakeholders in the provision of healthcare continue to play in the improvement of the lives of Batswana,” the minister said.

However, he said it was imperative that the gathering to understood that despite the efforts made so far to improve service delivery, there were still some challenges.

Dr Madigele expressed appreciation for the assistance Princess Marina Hospital continued to receive from partners such as University of Botswana Medical School and Harvard School of Medicine.

For his part, hospital superintendent Dr Seeletso Nchingane said participants included leaders from three districts in the vicinity of Gaborone because their constituents dominated Princess Marina Hospital referrals.

He said the hospital had identified challenges such as overcrowding, drug availability, inadequate space for patient consultation, long waiting time and staff welfare issues which needed urgent attention.

He announced that the hospital is undergoing accreditation to improve quality of services and provide best outcomes for patients. ENDS