20 Sep 2020

  Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) donated KAIZEN training materials to Extension 2 clinic in Gaborone on Thursday.

JICA resident representative, Mr Ken Yamanda, said health and safety were key factors in all industries.

He explained that KAIZEN was a Japanese word meaning continuous problem solving process as well as improving working environment, processes and conditions.

He said KAIZEN entailed two basic aspects being improvement of work environment and improvement of work flow.

“As JICA we have engaged Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC) that is well equipped to lead the clinic to efficiency and the continuous improvement needs to be reviewed and monitored from time to time,” said Mr Yamanda.

He further explained that BNPC would initiate KAIZEN implementation at the Extension 2 clinic for five weeks as a model designated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

For his part, BNPC general manager, Mr Teedzani Majaule, said the intervention came at the right time when the whole nation and the world at large were under duress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all know that the health sector worldwide is under immense strain and I am confident that this intervention will relief some of that pressure,” he said.

Mr Majaule highlighted that BNPC was rightly placed to assist the clinic staff to improve a number of processes and activities for the ultimate satisfaction of the its customers, while ensuring safety of both staff and patients.

He said a team of well-trained experts, who acquired their skills from JICA, had been selected to effectively hand hold the clinic to success.

He said teamwork was paramount for success of the intervention and therefore encouraged all to work together.

“We all know that customers at all health facilities complain about long queues, lack of time management and shortage of medicine amongst other issues.  I sincerely believe that through this project, we will be able to address some of these challenges” he said.

Mr Majaule further noted that the benefits of implementing KAIZEN included reduced costs, improved productivity, a safer and enjoyable work environment and standardisation.

He implored all the clinic staff to learn and do as led by the BNPC team in order to succeed.

Head of Extension 2 Clinic, Ms Sophie Richard-Ematang appreciated JICA and BNPC for their dedication and commitment to improving the clinic’s services through KAIZEN.

She said implementation of KAIZEN would help improve service quality and customer satisfaction, assuring all that the staff would work with sincerity and commitment. ENDS