31 Jan 2022

In an effort to reduce the country’s high unemployment rate, two youths have launched a private facility that will also assist to relieve the burden on the country’s health care system.

The medical facility based in Block 8, Gaborone which is the brain child of Dr Oaboloka Molome and Ms Patricia Semmee, comprises of a fully-fledged medical clinic and Pharmacy named Cedmol Medical Centre and Precision Pharma respectively.

Speaking during the launch of the facility in Gaborone Saturday, Dr Molome, who is Cedmol Medical Centre Director, said the decision to open a medical clinic was influenced by COVID-19 pandemic.

He said after witnessing how the pandemic left a gap in the country’s health sector, he saw the need to contribute meaningfully to the country that shaped his medical career.

“The demand for functional medicine is significant and I wanted to create an atmosphere that would offer clients a desired quality service whilst having the satisfaction of being able to help patients achieve significant, life-changing outcomes,” he said.

Moreover, he stated that he wanted to create employment for the youth as well.

A graduate of the University Of Botswana School Of Medicine, and a General Practitioner, Dr Molome said the experience he had gathered from his four year stint at Princess Marina Hospital as well as volunteering at Sir  Ketumile Hospital would serve him well in his new endeavour.

For her part, Precision Pharma Director, Ms Semmee said the journey to owning a Pharmacy was without its own challenges.

She said Precision Pharma was established in 2019 but due to COVID-19 restrictions, it only came into fruition this year.

Having a passion in the medical industry as well as a passion for creating employment, Ms Semmee said she had noticed shortage of medication in the country.

“With COVID-19 epidemic exacerbating the shortage, I saw a chance to not only reduce youth unemployment, but also contribute to satisfying Block 8 community’s health needs,” she added.

Ms Semmee, an Economics and Psychology student at the University of Botswana, expressed her enthusiasm for empowering the girl-child and hoped to inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship.

She added that her dream was to launch pharmacy branches in other parts of the country. ENDS