31 Jan 2019

Botswana Prisons Service north division’s Assistant Commissioner Boitshepo Nfila has encouraged Maun Prison staff and inmates to make use of tips  from a wellness day event held on January 30. 

Assistant Commissioner Nfila said the programme brought together health professionals who offered services such as screening and counselling for different ailments.

She said the initiative helped to address shortage of nursing staff in prisons by availing health services for a day.

The program, Assistant Commissioner Nfila  said, was in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Wellness which was tasked with ensuring that health services reached all Batswana.

To the inmates, she said knowing their health status would help them get relevant medical assistance and knowledge which they would use even when they completed their prison sentence.

Ms Nfila further encouraged men in general to make use of screening services, saying men usually lagged behind in testing for diseases.

The North West District, assistant district commissioner, Mr Ramogaupi Gaborekwe, noted that screening for diseases helped in prevention measures and timely treatment.

Mr Gaborekwe observed that government was committed to providing health services to all Batswana.

He said investing in one’s health helped to save from costly medical expenses.

Mr Gaborekwe said a healthy lifestyle should encompass all aspects of spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing.

The prisons health departments and affiliates from Ministry of Health and Wellness and organisations such as Tebelopele offered  HIV test and counselling, TB as well as screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and sugar diabetes. ENDs