16 Dec 2013

The Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolekae has applauded Stanbic bank Botswana for the donation of a mobile clinic worth P580 000 to the Okavango community.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the mobile clinic, Dr Somolekae commended Stanbic Bank Botswana for having selected the health sector as a major beneficiary of their corporate social responsibility. ‘’The mobile clinic will go a long way in enhancing our efforts as a ministry to attain our strategic objective of improving access to health services,” she said.

Dr Somolekae also praised the Peace Corps through its volunteers who mobilised the community and all the stakeholders to donate resources towards the clinic.  She said the donation came at a time when the ministry was experiencing critical shortage of transport to conduct mobile services throughout the country.

Out of a total fleet of 51 in the Okavango DHMT, 34 of the vehicles are off the road for various reasons due mainly to the difficult terrain, she said. She said that the mobile services would help them reach communities such as Tsodilo, Xhaoga, Samuchima, Shaikarawe, Rukunga, Senono, Setutu and Diniva. “These communities are often disadvantaged as they have to walk long distances to access health services resulting in delays in seeking for treatment and or defaulting,’’ she said.

The vehicle which is fully equipped with the basic accessories, she said, would deliver quality primary health care services such as fridge, patient couch, oxygen tank, washing basin and storage cabinets.

Stanbic Bank chief executive officer, Mr Leina Gabaraane said that as a bank they also value improving people’s lives and also fulfilling one of the pillars of the Vision 2016 of being a compassionate, just, caring nation.

He said that they were also answering the President’s appeal of helping those in need. Mr Gabaraane extended his gratitude to the Peace Corps for their contribution to the people of Okavango.

He said when they brought the proposal to him, he was humbled by the fact that they came all the way from America and wanted to offer a helping hand. He said that he was challenged and had to take action.

He said raising P 580 000 for the vehicle was not easy, but what kept them moving despite all the challenges he knew that they were doing it for a good cause as health is a basic right for everyone.

At some point, he said they had a bicycle marathon race that lasted for 5 days from Ghanzi to Gaborone. Mr Gabaraane said that he hoped the people of Okavango would value the donation and be able to help both the elderly and everyone to enjoy health services.

The US Ambassador to Botswana, Ms Michelle Gavin said that she was impressed by such an exciting project. She applauded all stakeholders adding that the community had come to witness the energy and commitment of partners who came together and performed a good public project.

She also thanked Peace Corps for having initiated the mobile clinic idea and said that it showed that they were committed to helping the community. She also applauded Stanbic Bank for setting up a good example of impressive private partnership.

Member of Parliament for Okavango, Mr Bagalatia Arone said that the initiative that the Peace Corps, especially, Ms Dinah Sandoval came up with would be treasured forever by the people of Okavango.

He thanked Stanbic Bank for having located Shakawe village and urged the villagers to value and take care of the mobile clinic. ENDS