23 Mar 2020

Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) Coordinator, Dr Malebogo Kebabonye says her team is working with safari companies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 outbreak.

She told members of Ministers Fraternal during a recent meeting to update them about the response to the COVID-19 where she explained  that they were monitoring visitors from other countries to protect them and the community.

She noted that currently there was no registered case of COVID-19 in Botswana and urged all to join hands with health officials to prevent spread of the virus.

Dr Kebabonye told church leaders that the World Health Organization had declared the outbreak a pandemic hence the need for countries to do more as far as public health was concerned. 

Further, she said 16 specimens from the district had been sent to the laboratory for testing and only three were back and had tested negative.

She allayed fears that international visitors might spread the virus especially to those who work in the camps in the Okavango Delta.

Dr Kebabonye stated  that they had a data base of all visitors and all information deemed necessary, adding that all people from outside the borders were isolated even if they did not show symptoms of COVID-19.

She revealed that they had engaged safari companies and hospitality industry to appoint employees who would specifically deal with international guests for easy monitoring and prevention.

Dr Kebabonye assured leaders that DHMT remained alert to the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic and that measures were in place to safe-guard the district against the disease including screening of all international arrivals at the ports of entry.

In addition, she said DHMT was well equipped to tackle the spread of disease  noting that they were collaborating with office of the District Commissioner to disseminate information and sensitise the public about the pandemic.

She urged pastors and other church leaders to help in disseminating information about the pandemic.

Dr Kebabonye revealed that Matshwane Clinic had been identified as isolation centre and that staff had been trained. 

She urged churches to bring some of their members to be trained so that they become health focal persons in churches.

Dr Kebabonye explained that the virus could spread from person to person in close proximity if droplets of bodily fluids such as mucus and saliva from an infected person are dispersed in the air or on surfaces by coughing or sneezing.

With regards to self-protection, she encouraged people to avoid shaking hands when greeting, to cover their faces when coughing or sneezing, avoid direct contact with anyone with cold or flu symptoms and wash hands frequently.

Dr Kebabonye also stressed that members of the community should call health officials at 6879600/997 when they experience signs or symptoms of the virus so that they could be attended at home.

She also encouraged the affected persons to  self quarantine themselves to protect members of their family from contacting the virus. 

The chairperson of Maun Ministers Fraternal, Apostle Terrence Sechele urged fellow leaders to adhere to the set measures to save lives.

He said the government had a mammoth task to protect the nation and churches should be at the forefront to assist  government. 

Apostle Sechele also stressed the need for pastors to discuss how they would conduct community activities such as funerals and wedding celebrations. Ends