16 Sep 2019

Senior Superintendent Bonosi Molapisi of Lobatse police has called on all Batswana to take responsibility for their health.

Mr Molapisi said this during a health camp, which was organised by Lobatse Lions Club in partnership with Community Pharmacist Association of Botswana (COPAB) over the weekend.

The team conducted activities that included vital signs, checking of blood pressure, sugar level and eye testing, upon which eligible ones were given free reading glasses.

He expressed gratitudes towards the attendants for having taken a deliberate step in knowing their health status. 

He, therefore, encouraged them to further follow advice given by the health professionals and not hesitate to take a stand in taking treatment.

Mr Molapisi appreciated Lobatse Lions club for the kind gesture of assisting the residents, adding that the move would alleviate the congestion of patients registered at the government hospitals. He said the service was highly appreciated because those who could not afford were accorded instant assistance.

He noted that the police were determined to build strong relationship with stakeholders such as Lobatse Lions Club because they were a catalyst to understanding the needs of community.

Mr Molapisi shared that Lions Club leadership mostly encompassed the business sector, which the police needed to share the information surrounding issues of crime and growth affecting businesses.

The Lions Club’s district governor overseeing Botswana and Zimbabwe, Ms Tshidi Serema said the intention was to test  residents of Lobatse and surrounding areas for eyes and blood pressure.

She noted that among the five critical issues which they focused on, they enlisted youth and women as their priority.

“We want youth and women to test for these diseases, as they are the stronghold in our homes,” she said. 

After testing, they advised and referred patients to health facilities. 

“The idea is to sensitise people to test and also advise that one does not necessarily have to wait long until they are sick, in order to be assisted,” she said.

COPAB vice president, Mr Amjad Ali, said as part of their strategic plan, they planned the event with the aim to assist in the promotion and maintenance of the health of the people through the practice of community pharmacy.

He said with that they hoped to improve the interests and welfare of  members in all matters pertaining to the practice of community pharmacy.

Mr Ali noted that the community pharmacy underwent a major shift globally from product oriented to patient oriented approach.

“As the health care system becomes increasingly complex, community pharmacists are in an ideal position to provide best pharmaceutical care in collaboration with other health care professionals,” he said.

He therefore noted that with the community pharmacists being readily accessible to the general public, it played a vital role in the healthcare system through the medicine and information they provide. 

ends