11 Jul 2021

The opening of a new retail pharmacy in Maun has been hailed as a welcome development as it will enhance pharmaceutical services and healthcare in the Ngamiland District.

The pharmacy, situated at the new mall, is 100 per cent citizen-owned by the Gaolebe family and has been licensed by Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority in May.

Speaking during its official opening on Saturday, Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) acting coordinator, Dr Sandra Maripe-Ebutswe hailed management of Dawn Pharmacy for having successfully pioneered a project of such a magnitude from thier family savings to offer first class pharmaceutical healthcare, relevant in the current COVID-19 era.

Their operations, she said, could not have come at a more opportune time, where government health facilities were overwhelmed by increased demand of healthcare service demund, including drugs and medicines.

She appreciated that the mission of Dawn Pharmacy was to leverage on the competitive edge and expertise to offer high level customer focused pharmaceutical products and services to their clientele, to improve their quality of life.

“This is in line with pillar two of Vision 2036, Human and Social Development, under the objective of Health and Wellness to live long healthy lives,” she added.

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe revealed that it was government’s desire to see its citizens playing an active role in the mainstream of the economy as it had been badly affected by the current COVID -19 pandemic, resulting in a lot of funds being diverted to the management of the spread of the disease and procurement of vaccines.

Furthermore, she stated that it was on that basis that government looked up to the private sector players like Dawn Pharmacy to drive the economy and help create employment for citizens.

Since the pharmacy was the only retail operating in new mall, Dr Maripe-Ebutswe noted that it would reduce distance travelled by residents to go and access pharmaceutical services on the other side of town.

Maun community, she said, would also enjoy a free delivery of chronic medications from the facility at the convenience of patients’ offices or homes, the first of its kind in Maun.

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe was hopeful that the facility would provide quality services, noting that she had the opportunity to know its managing director, Ms Boikanyo Gaolebe, who worked for government as a senior pharmacist for more 18 years.

She also informed the audience that Maun had not been spared as far as COVID-19 was concerned, noting that the disease was spreading like veld fire and claiming many lives including health workers.

Ngami DHMT, she said, had currently registered 3 394 cases since June 2020 when the first case was reported, 791 of which were active cases and 82 deaths, 80 of which were recorded in the past six months.

Dr Maripe-Ebutswe appealed to all to take the responsibility to contain the spread of the disease by minimising movements and observing health protocols.

For her part, Ms Gaolebe said it was rare to see a woman taking a risk to venture into such a business in the history of health in Botswana and thanked her husband, Mr Thuso Gaolebe for supporting her all the way.

She explained that the journey was challenging, more so that they started the business without any financial assistance,.

“We are determined to offer first class pharmaceutical services and we are bringing a difference as we will also deliver chronic medications to our clientele doorstep,” she added.

Ms Gaolebe said their facility aimed to offer excellent customer service.

She thanked government for contributing to her development in the pharmaceutical field, adding that she worked at Nyangagwe Referral Hospital and later secured sponsorship to further her studies.

She appealed to the public to reduce dependency on government, adding that they should take government assistance as a stepping stone towards achieving their dreams.

“You should learn to save for the future while working and strive to improve your lives.

The government has eased the way of doing business even though there are some hiccups, but they should not discourage you to achieve your dream,” she added. ENDS