04 Sep 2022

Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) has opened its radiology department for use by the public.

The move, Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said was in line with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s vision for the facility to become a hub for health tourism and achieve an inclusive economy led by healthy people.

Officially opening the hospital’s radiology department to the public on Thursday, Dr Dikoloti said the department  would afford people an opportunity to have access to improved imaging services offered in a well-resourced state-of-the-art facility and one of the best in the world.

“The imaging techniques will give SKMTH the capacity to provide advanced imaging previously available only in large private hospitals outside the country and therefore reduce international health cost outside the country,” he added.

He said specific medical imaging services that would be offered in the radiology department included general radiography, ultrasound, CT-scan, fluoroscopy, angiography and interventional radiology.

“With imaging such as the 3 Tesla MRI, advanced CT, ultrasound, fluoroscopy machines as well as high speed connectivity complementing IT services, the hospital will offer reliable and timeous imaging services to optimise patient management,” he said.

He noted that the hospital’s vision was to be the industry standard of excellence in providing health care services, research and teaching to improve healthcare outcomes, which tallied well with the government Reset Agenda.

On other issues, Dr Dikoloti highlighted that the health care system needed to be transformed given the changes in disease trends.

“For that reason the current health care system cannot be conceptualised or planned with an obsolete mindset. The aging population, emerging health threats, increased community expectation and economic reforms for sustainable investment (value for money) in quality health system, call for a different approach in doing business,” he said.

He was therefore confident that the resources, both human and machinery or equipment at SKMTH was up-to-date and had the capacity to provide excellent and sustainable patient-centred care through partnerships and networks across the world.

Meanwhile, the minister said the hospital should build patient and family trust through provision of compassionate and comprehensive patient care.

“Always remember, patient first,” he said, adding that the health personnel was charged with ensuring that Batswana enjoyed the highest attainable standard of health care in order to participate actively in driving the economy.

He said none of Batswana would be denied access to quality health care, given that SKMTH would provide highly specialised health care to all in need of services through referrals and services would be paid for by different funders, medical aids and government through the ministry.

He further emphasised the importance of a people-oriented primary health care system, which would help to successfully deliver services at community level, adding “all health facilities should be accessible to all Batswana”.

Dr Dikoloti encouraged the hospital to adopt high level digitalisation techniques in order to enhance its efficiency and accessibility.

For his part, acting permanent secretary in the health ministry, Dr Tshepo Machacha said SKMTH would work to reduce a number of patients sent outside and in turn reduce international medical costs.

Dr Machacha said the hospital had a capable, highly skilled, competent and qualified staff to deliver the best health care services. ends