08 Sep 2024

Government has made great strides in making healthcare accessible to everyone by bringing specialised care to local communities.

In March, the Scottish Livingstone Hospital partnered with the Renal Care Institute (RCI) to open a new dialysis unit that will make it easier for people with kidney problems to receive treatment, leading to better health outcomes. This is a positive step forward for the government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare in Botswana.

Ms Josephine Mosimanewakgosi, an official of the Kweneng District Health Management Team, recently stated that the opening of the new dialysis unit at Scottish Livingstone Hospital was intended to make dialysis services more accessible to patients in the district. The move aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare by bringing specialist services closer to the people who need them.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi explained the benefits of the new dialysis unit saying, ‘by bringing dialysis services closer to patients in the Kweneng District, we have reduced travel times and costs, making it much easier for those who need regular treatment to access the care they need.”

The move not only improves healthcare accessibility, but also improves the overall quality of life for patients in the region who require dialysis.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi emphasised the importance of the new dialysis centre, stating that its presence was a testament to government’s commitment to break barriers to healthcare.

“We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality care, regardless of where they live or their financial circumstances,” she said, adding that the new unit was not just a place for treatment, but also a symbol of Kweneng DHMT’s commitment to provide equitable access to healthcare.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi highlighted the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructure, expanding community-based screening programmes to detect kidney diseases at an early stage, ensuring the availability of essential medications at all healthcare levels and improving access to the best medical therapies as key steps in enhancing patient outcomes.

Furthermore, she emphasised that improving patient outcomes in kidney disease treatment required a multifaceted approach that went beyond dialysis services alone.

“To truly improve patient outcomes, we must not only provide advanced dialysis services, but also integrate optimal medication practices, including availability of essential drugs and personalised care plans,” she said.

Founder of the Renal Care Institute (RCI), Dr Gagoitsewe Saleshando expressed his excitement about the new dialysis unit at Scottish Livingstone Hospital.

“We are thrilled to have realised one of our aims, which is to promote kidney health and bring dialysis services closer to the people in the Kweneng District. This is an important milestone for RCI and for the community as a whole,” said Dr Saleshando.

He added that the new unit would provide convenient and affordable access to dialysis services for local residents and would help to improve the overall quality of care for patients with kidney disease.

Two kidney patients, Mr Thapelo Seitei and Mr Emmanuel Regoeng, emphasised the importance of healthy eating habits and fluid intake for individuals with kidney disease. They shared their experiences, urging fellow kidney patients to prioritise their health by seeing a doctor at the first sign of symptoms and avoid consulting traditional healers as that could worsen the condition.

“I want to stress the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and drinking the right amount of fluids. This can help prevent further complications and improve overall health,” said Mr Seitei.

The new unit at Scottish Livingston Hospital has made a significant impact since its establishment. At the time of the interview, the unit had provided critical dialysis services to 46 patients, which improved their quality of life and helped manage their conditions. End