11 Jun 2019

Plans are underway to construct a health facility at Polokabatho settlement, some 15km from Maun, in a bid to bring services closer to the communities.

The facility will be constructed by Saint Elias Foundation, which is a non-governmental movement aimed at improving the lives of the communities on different areas including healthcare.

The foundation was co-founded by a Maun Prophet, Thato Elias and wife, Resego of Saving Grace Church. It focuses on areas of primary healthcare, education, sports and recreation. Prophet Elias announced during the launch of the foundation, which was graced by the district leadership, that the project would kick start soon.

He said they had done all the necessary logistics and met the required standards, noting that they had been granted a licence to operate a nursing home with skilled manpower at the site.

He expressed hope that the council would approve their idea to fast-track the commencement of the project, as it would augment government efforts in providing healthcare services. The foundation was reported to have contributed meaningfully to issues of primary healthcare in the district since its formation.

The foundation has been taking the lead in promoting healthcare services through health and wellness campaigns. Prophet Elias, who is also a health practitioner, confirmed that indeed they had conducted several health activities in an effort to promote healthy living and a healthy environment.

He said every month they embarked on a health campaign where the communities were screened for various diseases and sensitised on the right steps to follow to maintain good health and ensure drug compliance all the time.

The communities, he said, were also drilled on health education issues to empower them. He said they had realised that some patients did not follow health practitioners’ instructions and failed to adhere to treatment, while some stop treatment due to religious beliefs.

Prophet Elias said the foundation taught the community that even though God heals, they should adhere to treatment until the health practitioner stops them.

Last year they partnered with 30 students from University of Ohio, USA from the Faculty of Health Sciences to organise health and wellness campaigns in the district.

The foundation also contributed to community activities as it had volunteered to care for home based patients.

It also assisted the community of Keokale settlement some kilometres from Chanoga to construct a facility, where they could get their mobile clinic services.

Prophet Elias revealed that the foundation had also been accredited to provide health motivational seminars and coaching.  

The district leadership hailed the foundation, noting that it was a welcome development. Batawana senior chief representative, Kgosi Charles Letsholathebe said the establishment of the foundation was indeed a good idea and assured the founders of the leadership’s support.

He stated that it would better the lives of the community and called on other stakeholders to support it so that it achieves its goal.

Assistant district commissioner, Mr Ramogaupi Gaborekwe also appreciated the launch of the foundation and thanked the founders for demonstrating love, sacrifice, guidance and offering their expertise in district activities.

He also acknowledged that the foundation was a gift from God as it had already done wonders in areas of primary health, education and sports.

Mr Gaborekwe appreciated that the foundation had done a good job in instilling discipline among youth through the formation of local sports teams, which are reported to be performing exceptionally well in constituency tournaments. ENDS