23 Aug 2022

Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital management has been urged to fast track transition into a private facility in order to save government money on referrals to neighbouring countries.

Speaking during a tour of the hospital yesterday, the President noted the hospital’s planned three-year transition period saying it was far too long.

He had been informed that the facility would start offering private services in phases over a period of three years.

Dr Masisi advised the board not to be conservative in its planning.

“Though cognisant that the hospital management needs to consider the entire ecosystem in their planning, I strongly believe management is under planning in the  transition process as there is urgent need to react to both local and global medical needs,” he said.

President Masisi assured the board of government’s willingness to do what it took to facilitate the hospital in its transformation journey.

“With the current special economic zoning in full swing, government is willing to extend its radar to include Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital within the special economic zone framework due to looming economic activities in the manufacturing and distribution of medical supplies locally,” he said.

The President advised the hospital to aspire for excellence in the  provision of  health care services and medical research.

Another piece of advice from  Dr Masisi was for it to strive to attract and associate with the best in the medical field.

 “The way in which you package your incentives should be in a manner that appeals not only to locals but to global customers who are keen on health tourism,” he said.

Dr Masisi said it was important for the hospital to have its  products and services protected by law to ensure that invested  funds went back into the fiscal.

Meanwhile the President has quashed stories doing the rounds alleging that the facility was being privatised.

“The hospital is not being privatised contrary to recent reports and will be open for public use while operating using a private hospital model. 

The facility will remain government property but has been licensed as a private hospital to offer health care services,” he explained.

Dr Masisi said under the private licensing model, the hospital would still enjoy government financial intervention for patients unable to pay medical expenses.

 For his part, the hospital’s board chairperson, Mr Basimane Bogopa said the facility’s transformation would ensure  maximum use post COVID-19.

 The hospital had adopted a cooperative and interactive approach  to creating a seamless and enjoyable patient experience, he said.

 Mr Bagopa said when fully operational, the hospital would, have 450 beds and a workforce of over 1 000.BOPA