09 Jun 2021

Botswana Red Cross Society officers at Tsau village have been hailed for playing a key role in containing the spread of COVID-19. 

The accolades were sounded by village leaders during a consultative meeting with the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe.

The village leaders said the coronavirus situation was under control in the village, thanks to the officers, whom they said did exceptionally well in facilitating preventative measures and ensuring compliance to coronavirus protocols.

They appreciated officers for volunteering to raise public awareness on COVID-19 risks and mitigation measures to protect communities, even after the expiry of their contracts.

Village Development Committee chairperson, Ms Keeng Kealeboga stated that the community enjoyed a smooth working relationship with Red Cross officers, health personnel and other stakeholders, hence they managed to contain the coronavirus.

She also appreciated recruitment of SHE officers in some government departments such as schools and dikgotla, but decried that there was none at the clinic, although the facility was experiencing congestion on a daily basis.

Ms Kealeboga also called for an increase in the number of SHE officers in schools because of their large populations. Other challenges she mentioned included shortage of staff at the clinic, stating that they used to operate with seven nurses, but currently there were only four, including one midwife.

She said that the clinic had a maternity wing, which needed a backup generator as when the village experienced power cut, the nurses were forced to use candles and cellphones to assist patients. 

Chief health officer, Mr Keipeletse Moatlatsi thanked the Red Cross officers for their efforts, saying they were helpful as they were trained in testing and contact tracing.

He revealed that they had tested 2 067 people, 53 of whom tested positive and they recorded one death of a nurse. 

He also explained that they did not have an isolation facility and as such referred patients to Maun.

Mr Moatlatsi said home quarantine and isolation were a challenge because of overcrowded homesteads.

He also indicated that Red Cross officers helped them in testing all school going children before reopening of schools, noting that ‘without them we would have not managed because we are overwhelmed’.

He pleaded with the assistant minister to see how best to assist the officers as their contracts had expired and they were currently assisting on a voluntary basis.

In response, Mr Lelatisitswe hailed the Tsau leadership for working as a unit and encouraged them to keep up the spirit. 

He also appreciated the good work by Red Cross officers and assured the leadership that he would take up the issue with relevant authorities to see how they could assist them, as their services were still needed.

He informed the meeting that the coronavirus was real and urged residents to continue adhering to health protocols all the time and also encouraged those eligible for vaccination to get the jab. 

On other issues, Mr Lelatisitswe informed the leadership that all clinics operating 24/7 and those with maternity wings would be provided with backup generators as per NDP 11. Community members were also advised to protect themselves from malaria and also cooperate with health teams during indoor residual spraying campaigns. 

Ngami area MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama told the assistant minister that the communities had difficulty accessing health services due to the state of the roads in the district and appealed to him to engage the relevant minister on the issue.

He said the district was lagging behind in terms of road infrastructure as compared to other areas, making life difficult for the community.

Mr Hikuama also called for a resident doctor in his constituency, saying the arrangement for a doctor to come and service patients after two weeks was not adequate, forcing some patients to travel to Maun to access specialised health services. Ends