03 Apr 2022

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has donated a patient waiting area facility to Princess Marina Hospital.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on March 31, BTC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony Masunga said it was the corporation’s responsibility to assist government to provide security, comfort and support to the community, especially those in their most desperate hour, due to illness and other natural causes.

Mr Masunga revealed that the waiting area facility, consisting of 28 benches, allowing for social distancing requirements as per the COVID-19 regulations, was constructed at a total cost of P304, 640 and completed in 2021.

He said BTC had also connected free internet or Wi-Fi of speeds of up to 10 megabites per second for a period of one year, which would enable the hospital to disseminate information to its stakeholders and allow customers to access digital services, while at the hospital.

He said the waiting area facility was equipped with a television set for entertainment.

 Saying giving was healing, Mr Masunga highlighted that the occasion could only be equated to sowing acres of love.

Receiving the donation, Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) Superintendent, Dr Monkgogi Goepamang said the shelter would enhance the customer experience and provide a psychological healing to the patients.

This development, he said, came at a time when the whole world was still experiencing the painful consequences of the most unprecedented of pandemics, and perhaps by far one of the most devastating public health challenges of our lifetime, being COVID-19.

Dr Goepamang commended BTC for partnering with Princess Marina Hospital to improve the facility, saying it would ultimately improve customer experience.

He further lauded the corporation for heeding government’s call for collaboration and made significant contributions and still continued to play a meaningful role in the development of the country.

Dr Goepamang cited BTC’s P2 million donation of cash to the COVID-19 National Relief Fund and hosting of the COVID-19 toll free number (16649) on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness that allowed for free calls and SMSes from all mobile network operators. ENDS