28 Nov 2018

 More than a hundred patients who were booked for various operations at Letsholathebe II Memorial hospital have undergone successful operations, thanks to the ongoing Southern African Development Community (SADC) military health services exercise.

Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) coordinator, Dr Malebogo Kebabonye said since the beginning of the exercise, 120 patients were operated in various wings such as surgical, eye, gynaecology and theatre. 

This was revealed during the tour of the hospital to appreciate and witness how the actual conduct of the exercise had helped to improve services and provide quality health services. The exercise dubbed: Ex Pabalelo commenced on November 16 and expected to end November 29, aims to promote interoperability among SADC Military Health Services, components to practice combat medical support for the SADC Brigade force deployed in peace, support operations as well as the provision of humanitarian assistance to communities in the general area of operation.

Dr Kebabonye noted that the exercise had impacted positively on health facilities, patients and the community at large.

She also appreciated that the exercise benefited the hospital as the military health personnel joined forces with staff to push backlog, especially in surgical care services, noting that they had a long queue, of which some patients were booked for April next year.

“This exercise indeed assisted us to provide quality health services and meet the needs of the communities,” she added.

She explained that Letsholathebe was the only district referral hospital that extended services as far as Gumare, Shakawe and Ghanzi.

 In addition, she said local clinics such as Sehithwa, Kareng and Tsau also benefited as the military health teams offered outreach health services. 

Dr Kebabonye appreciated that the exercise also reduced stigma towards the military personnel. 

Hospital superintendent, Dr Maxwell Mungisi appreciated the good work by the military personnel, stating that their help was a huge milestone as they experienced a shortage of specialists.

He pointed out that the hospital operated with one gynaecologist, who serviced the whole district, adding, “your assistance made a huge impact.” 

 In theatre wing was reported to be experiencing a shortage of equipment and the coming in of the military personnel was a blessing.

Meanwhile, an elderly woman, Ms Maseng Ramodimo of Mabudutsa ward in Maun, who underwent an eye operation, thanked the organizers of the military health exercise, noting that it really helped her a lot.

The old woman, who had been challenged with blurred vision for a long time, explained that at first, she could not believe that military personnel could provide health services to save people’s lives as she knew that their role was to provide security for the nation.

The director of the exercise, Col. Mothusi Chelenyane explained that they worked well with the local health facilities, noting that they did a marvellous job at the referral hospital as they offered specialised in medical services and surgical procedures.

He also stated that the exercise focused on aspects of medical evacuation by air and road and also providing outreach services in the form of dental and oral health services, indoor residential spraying for malaria, screening of HIV and non-communicable diseases.

A primary health team camp was established at Sehithwa to offer comprehensive health services such as dental, general consultation care and preventative services. ENDS