28 Sep 2020

Coordinator of presidential COVID-19 task force, Dr Kereng Masupu, says it is vital to establish a testing laboratory in Maun to fast track release of results. 

He said this in an interview on September 26 after touring Matshwane isolation centre in Maun to appreciate its capacity as well as  ensure that the building was set as a laboratory for COVID-19.

He said it was vital for the isolation centre to have adequate resources.

Establishment of the lab, he said, would speed up release of results noting that currently, Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) was experiencing a delay since samples were sent to Gaborone for testing.

Dr Masupu explained that at times, the results took 10 days wmeaning that they were irrelevant after 10 days period. 

He also stated that of recent, they had realised that statistics of COVID-19 cases were increasing rapidly especially in Gaborone and thus put Maun zone at risk because it was a transit area and tourism destination.

The coordinator stressed the need to ensure that the isolation centre was well resourced to enable RHMTs to respond fast and contain spread of the disease, adding that machinery was readily available.

 “We visited Maun to appreciate the isolation centre capacity and the lab set up because we have realised this zone was at risk of COVID-19 and we want to ensure all is in place in case the team here diagnose positive cases or have any suspected cases,” he added.

Dr Masupu acknowledged that the zone was doing well in prevention, adding that it recorded few positive cases.

Meanwhile, it was reported that initially Matshwane isolation centre was constructed as a maternity wing, but never functioned as expected. The centre was then used as a youth friendly clinic before the pandemic.

The task force was informed that part of the isolation centre would be used to set up the Maun lab and that preparations were at advanced stage. A tender had been awarded and the contractor was expected on the site yesterday. 

Refurbishment works were expected to take seven weeks.

RHMT coordinator, Dr Malebogo Kebabonye, informed the task force that Matshwane centre serviced villages such as Maun, Gumare, Shakawe and other catchment areas.

She also noted that they identified other areas such as Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI), which had 100 bed capacity, Old Maun general hospital that would also provide 100 beds capacity but stated that at the moment, the facility was awaiting electricity connection.

She also reported that the maternity wing with 24 bed capacity and three staff houses at the old hospital were ready and could be reserved as isolation areas.

Another areas identified included Botswana Open University with 32 bed capacity.

She also acknowledged that some business entities offered their lodge/hotels facilities through office of the district commissioner to be used as quarantines.

The task force was also informed that efforts were ongoing to renovate Ngethu Brigade in Gumare into an isolation centre. 

It was reported that the contractor would also construct two bed capacity facility to be used as holding rooms.

However, Dr Kebabonye told the team that health facilities were the best areas to be used as isolation centres as compared to other facilities, which would force them to device prevention measures.

North West district commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego, explained that works at Ngethu Brigade had not commenced since the facility accommodated students. 

Negotiations between relevant authorities, he said, were ongoing to see how best they could assist the students in terms of rent allowance.

The task force expressed worry that it seemed the RHMT had neglected other areas considering the distance from villages such as Gudigwa, Beetsha Seronga and suggested that another isolation centre be set up in Shakawe.

The option was to establish such at the new Shakawe primary hospital, which was reported to be near completion. Ends