20 Sep 2020

Botswana Police Service District No.17’s Superintendent Goitseone Molapisi has urged the public to ensure safety of patients and health workers at all times.

Supt Molapisi made the remarks during Okavango District World Patient Safety Day commemoration in Sepopa on Thursday.

He said safety of patients went in hand with safety of health workers. “I similarly wish to make a call to action for all stakeholders to provide adequate resources and have systems in place to promote patient and health care worker safety,” he said. Supt Molapisi said the police had since been prompted to provide backup security in clinics and hospitals.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness on one hand, he said, recently rolled out installation of CCTVs at health facilities and engaging private security companies to ensure health facilities were safe.

He said at times, health workers worked under stressful conditions, which posed risks for patients. Supt Molapisi further stated that the hygiene practices brought about by COVID-19 such as frequent hand washing should be adopted at health facilities even post COVID-19.

He also urged the participants to continue observing COVID-19 protocols such as wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands to prevent spread of corona virus.

Okavango principal nursing officer, Ms Fedelia Mpesu, said the event was meant to recognise the importance of patient safety at health facilities.

Ms Mpesu said, through the infection prevention and control measure, health facilities had to ensure patients were not exposed to other infections, especially when hospitalised.

She further said safety of health workers was also critical since they were also exposed to diseases, citing the current COVID-19 pandemic. ENDS