25 Oct 2022

Shakawe residents are over the moon about the availability of more services at JP Kavindama Primary Hospital.

Named after the late Okavango MP, Mr Joseph  Polaano Kavindama, the partially-open facility has been offering pharmacy and laboratory services since 2020 when COVID-19 hit the country.

Services have now been extended to outpatient, social work, counselling and maternity.

In an interview on Monday following the latest development, Kgosi Thaamano Sedumedi expressed happiness  that more services were now available for Shakawe residents.

Stating that the development was overdue, he said residents were anxious for the hospital to be fully operational  so that they could get all the necessary health services.

Kgosi Abel Mafuta expressed gratitude for the availability of laboratory and maternity services. 

The two services were critical to residents from the eastern side of the Okavango River who  hitherto had to travel all the way to Gumare for assistance.

Shakawe North Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Baarabi Lekgowa said the availability of services at JP Kavindama would help reduce the burden on Gumare Primary Hospital as well as the travel costs for patients from the eastern side of the Okavango River.

A resident, Ms Cotia Lucas  was elated that pressure would be reduced on the Shakawe Clinic which she said was currently overwhelmed. 

Ms Lucas said she wished was the Tuberculosis unit was also  operational.

The hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr Kabo Tshiamo said the staff for the 70-bed facility was ready to serve noting that most of the needed nurses were in post.

He said psychological and eye specialist services were also available.

“The maternity wing will improve services and patient care since there are facilities to observe women post-delivery for any complications that may arise unlike at Shakawe Clinic where they were given a few hours for observation due to limited space,” said Dr Tshiamo.

He said the remaining services such as the accident and emergency would come into operation next year. ENDS