20 Sep 2020

The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, has applauded the Ministry of Health and Wellness for availing funds for refurbishment of Old Sekgoma Memorial Hospital .

Mr Kgafela said the people of Serowe and surrounding areas could now get more health services within their vicinity.

When handing over the refurbished Old Sekgoma Memorial project on Thursday, Mr Kgafela said given the current health challenges, it was important have the country’s health system in good condition.

He said though the more than P47 million project was delayed by two years, a good lesson, which will help the government to complete future projects on time, was learnt.

He indicated that government was against late delivery of projects, stressing that projects should always be completed on time within budget and with the desired quality.

In line with this spirit, he said, contractors were encouraged to participate in project implementation with the aim of empowering people and to build capacity.

Mr Kgafela said he was hopeful that many contractors would continue to take their work seriously.  He pointed out that the project was a clear demonstration by government to engage the private sector in the country’s development process.

He called upon the private sector to do its part to assist government in timely delivery of projects.

Mr Kgafela said he was optimistic that despite the delay in completing the project, quality of the workmanship was good and in line with the spirit that the people of Botswana get value for money for all their infrastructure investments.

“I therefore have no doubt that the people of Serowe and surrounding areas will enjoy using the facility, given its new look and modernised buildings and fittings,” he said.

Mr Kgafela said there was no doubt that completion of the project would not only contribute to the convenience of the community, but also professional satisfaction to health professionals, who will be deployed to work in the facility.

The acting hospital superintendent at Sekgoma Memorial Hospital, Dr Malebogo Rauwe said he was optimistic that the refurbished hospital would avail the needed services to the public.

He said they would ensure that the hospital opened to the public soon.

The chairperson of Serowe Sub-council, Mr Lesedi Phuthego, thanked government for the renovation of the Old Sekgoma Memorial Hospital, saying residents, who stayed 10 to 11 kilometres from the new Sekgoma hospital, were relieved of walking long distances to the health facility.

He said the renovated Old Sekgoma Memorial Hospital would help to ease congestion being experienced at the new hospital. ENDS