09 Aug 2021

Setting up of health facilities in any part of the country helps bring health services closer to the people and as a result saves lives, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti has said.

Officially opening Lab Care Diagnostics in Tonota over the weekend, he said any addition to health care facilities was in fulfilment of the mandate of the health ministry

Lab Care Diagnostics (PTY) Ltd was founded in December 2016 and started operations as a Private Medical Laboratory in September 2017 in a one-roomed rented space.

Though the lab started small, he said there was determination to become a well-established health facility hence it grew to be a fully-fledged health care center offering multiple health services such as Diagnostics services like general medical consultation, lab tests for multiple diagnostics in DNA, HIV, STIs, allergies, cancer screening, diabetes monitoring as well as COVID-19 testing. 

Because the lab was now fully fledged health care centre offering multiple health care services, he said, Tonota residents no longer have to travel to other areas for such services.

Dr Dikoloti said in line with the country’s vision 2036, Africa Agenda 2063 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal Number 3, which all aspired for a healthy society with access to health services, the private sector was encouraged to set up in all parts of the country.

He said government alone could not afford to bring health services to the people, adding that if more private sector came on board, the goal of having health facilities nearer to the people would be achieved.

He noted that it was very rare to find specialist medical laboratories in villages, hence Lab Care Diagnostics had filled a gap in health care provision. 

He urged other companies to emulate Lab Care Diagnostics and take their services to the villages.

The lab, he said, was not only serving the people Tonota, everyone including health facilities from surrounding villages and towns. 

Dr Dikoloti said the Lab would help the public facilities in Tonota and surrounding villages, which were already over stretched by COVID-19 related ailments.

Medical laboratory scientist who is also Lab Care Diagnostics  director, Ms Vongai Makovore said the lab offered services like diagnostics and screening for COVID-19, clinical chemistry, fertility testing, HIV monitoring, antenatal care, cancer, allergy screenings, diabetes monitoring medical examination tests among others.

Its General Private Clinic wing offers general health care  including medical examinations,  minor surgery, antenatal care and dental services.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitsi of Tonota expressed happiness over the opening of the laboratory in the village at a time when the whole world was grappling with COVID-19.

He said the lab would assist doctors and other private facilities to offer better service.

He expressed concern over the  escalating COVID-19 deaths in the village,  saying that such deaths might be as a result of poor public education. 

He cautioned residents that COVID-19 jab was not a cure.

For his part, Tonota Member of Parliament, Mr Pono Moatlhodi expressed concern over the lack of respect for the National Anthem. 

He said the anthem should be sung at every gathering where legislators were present and that it should be sung with pride. ends