22 Sep 2019

The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane says the official opening of Magapatona clinic in Tutume is a clear demonstration by government and her strategic partners that improving health care delivery system in Botswana remains top priority.

Mr Tsogwane said the opening of the facility would go a long way in improving provision of quality health care services as well as providing access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

“This is our response to the global call to all countries to pursue universal health coverage which does not only improve health but reduces poverty, creates jobs, drives inclusive economic growth, promotes gender equality and protects populations from epidemics,” he said.

He said the facility, funded by MOTOVAC Group and JUMPCORP to the tune of P3 million, required Ministry of Health and Wellness to make sure that there was adequate and competent staff, drugs and other important equipment for it to serve its purpose.

The gesture by MOTOVAC Group, Mr Tsogwane said followed concerted efforts by government to engage with various stakeholders with a view to build strategic partnerships in the provision of quality healthcare in Botswana.

He noted that the generous donation by the group came right on the heels of many such gestures where MOTOVAC had impacted communities through its social corporate responsibility programme.

The Vice President cited as an example the group’s renovation of Gabane clinic in the past.

As such, Vice President Tsogwane urged other players in the private sector to emulate MOTOVAC’s gesture and goodwill as government could not go it alone.

Also, Mr Tsogwane was happy that the facility would help decongest Tutume Primary Hospital as it provided service to the catchment population of more than 13 000 as per the 2011 population and housing census.

The High Commissioner of India, Dr Rajesh Ranjan, said the construction of Magapatona clinic demonstrated  deep rooted bilateral cooperation that existed between Botswana and India for mutual benefit of the people of the two states.

He said India which had various areas of cooperation with  government of Botswana, including capacity building, would continue to extend its assistance towards further development of the latter.

Dr Ranjan assured Tutume sub-district leadership that his government would through its social corporate responsibility programme, in future scout for people within Tutume area and take them for Solar Engineering training in India.

This, he noted was in alignment with Botswana’s transformational agenda as contained in Vision 2036.

Managing director for MOTOVAC, Mr Jitu Patel, was also hopeful that the clinic would help improve the health of Magapatona residents and surrounding areas.

The fact that 35 people were employed during construction phase of the project, he said, was a welcome development.

Former area MP, Mr Edwin Batshu who was credited for engaging MOTOVAC group to bank roll the facility was happy that his efforts together with the goodwill of  development partners had paid off and that residents would enjoy quality health care while awaiting construction of the envisaged hospital contained in NDP 11.

That withstanding, Mr Batshu made a clarion call to capable partners and good Samaritans to extend a helping hand and assist construct or upgrade facilities at Maitengwe, Goshwe and Matobo. Ends