18 Mar 2020

Mahalapye District Hospital has put measures in place to handle any suspected cases of COVID-19. 

Speaking in an interview on Friday concerning the hospital’s preparedness to deal with suspected cases in the district, hospital superintendent, Dr Maxwell Mungisi said the 10-bed facility had been prepared at the refurbished old hospital, now named Moko Primary Hospital, where any suspicious cases of COVID-19 would be isolated.

“We have also trained many of our staff members from various clinics where we attend patients and have come up with an algorithm of how we are going to channel these people, should we suspect any of our clients,” he said.

He said the facility was also equipped with the necessary medical and personal protective equipment, for any eventuality. 

To create awareness among members of the community, Dr Mungisi, who is also the head of Mahalapye District Health Management Team said the hospital had sensitised members of Mahalapye Sub-district Council and District Development Committee on COVID-19 on symptoms and basic preventative measures. 

“Through our health education department, we are also embarking on educating the community with the basics regarding COVID-19. 

We also give lectures to patients at all the health facilities in the district before resuming duty,” he added. 

The COVID-19 is a viral infection threat, which originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. 

The symptoms include elevated temperature, difficulty in breathing, headache, coughing and sneezing. 

Suspected cases reported in Botswana tested negative while screening is ongoing at all points of entry in the country. Ends