12 Jun 2021

First Lady Ms Neo Masisi has hailed the Rahim family for refurbishing Princess Marina Hospital Paediatric Surgical ward. 

Ms Masisi praised the selfless gesture by the family, Thursday during the handing over of the ward, which has been refurbished to the tune of P350 000.

She said the ward, in its new condition, which now had a special isolation space, would not only bring a conducive environment but would help speed the recovery of patients. 

The ward refurbishment was a result of the good relationship the family had with the hospital following their son’s hospitalisation. 

The First Lady said it would make a big difference if other members of the community were to partner with government particularly in childhood Cancer. 

She said what the family did would contribute significantly towards care of patients with Cancer.

In his welcome remarks, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the renovation signified a positive development in fighting children diseases. 

Dr Dikoloti said Prince Marina Hospital was the busiest referral hospital serving almost the whole country as it offered a wide spectrum of services both preventive and curative, paediatrics included. 

He said paediatric medicine grew a lot since the hospital was opened, adding that over the years the hospital gradually moved from general paediatrics to highly specialised paediatric services, such as Paediatric–Haematology and Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology, Endocrinology, Neonatology and critical care. 

Dr Dikoloti explained that previously, such services were offered only outside Botswana, saying the super-specialities had attracted clients from other parts of Botswana, which did not fall under the PMH catchment area. 

Dr Dikoloti thanked the Rahim family for their contribution saying it had been operationally challenging as the unit did not have a proper isolation space. 

The donor, Mr Mohammed Rahim of Tile Africa Group of Companies said his family was encouraged to venture into charitable service to assist humanity. 

He said the charitable service was birthed after his son was hospitalised at Princess Marina with cancer of the abdomen at three years, and the family identified a need and acted on it to assist other children who would need special isolation. 

On the overview of the project, the acting hospital Superintendent Dr Monkgogi Goepamang said the Paediatric unit was a busy ward, always operating full capacity. 

He said the renovation offered by the Rahim family was a welcome initiative as they met government halfway in making patients comfortable. 

He said the ceiling, tile and painting which were worn out had now been renewed.  He further noted that the washing basins had been lowered to make them suitable for children’s use. 

Dr Goepamang said the paediatric now had nine beds and that it would not only benefit COVID-19 children patients but other children with ailments that need isolation. Ends