Africa-Press – Botswana. The upgraded Gasita clinic opened its doors to the public on Wednesday.
The facility, previously a health post, was upgraded by P2.5 million after the Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti sourced donation from Trans Africa.
Officially opening the clinic, Dr Dikoloti said it had a maternity wing, something that he described as a welcome development.
“President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi always implore us as his ministers to do more to bring government services closer to the people, which is in line with his party’s 2019 manifesto promises,” he added.
He thanked Trans Africa for agreeing to help upgrade the health post to a clinic.
“It is not common for many projects to be completed on time, Trans Africa has therefore set the standard high for other companies,” he said.
This donation, he said, was in line with Vision 2036 pillar of Human and Social Development, noting that the pillar aspired for Batswana to live long and healthy lives.
Dr Dikoloti, also the area Member of Parliament, said access to maternity services was one of the priorities for his ministry as it contributed to reduction in maternal morbidity and mortality, which remained a concern for Botswana and other developing countries.
“I am therefore, delighted that the new facility will greatly complement government’s efforts to uplift the health and wellbeing of the people of Gasita and surrounding settlements,” he said.
He requested other companies to emulate Trans Africa and contribute to the development of the people of Botswana.
For his part, Trans Africa executive chairperson, Mr Manhar Mooney, highlighted that government could not do everything alone, therefore it need partnership with the private sector.
He said the idea of the clinic was born four years back, however it was derailed by COVID-19, noting that he was delighted to have delivered on their promise.
Mr Mooney said the sick and pregnant women were driven long distances on bad roads for health services, adding that the clinic would now arrest the situation.
After realising that there was shortage of water in the village, he said they decided to put up water tanks and pave the facility to reduce lot of dust caused by the type of soil.
The contractor, Mr Boiki Thomas, said even though they encountered some challenges, they managed to complete the project on time, further assuring the residents that the clinic was built to the required standard.
Mr Thomas pointed out that skills were transferred to the residents as they had hired a lot of workers from the area.
The area councillor, Mr Simon Ramaphoi, said the clinic would positively change lives in Gasita and surrounding areas, adding that transporting the sick and pregnant women long distances to health facilities would now be a thing of the past.
He thanked Dr Dikoloti and Trans Africa for the donation as well as the contractor for transferring skills to the residents.
Councillor Ramaphoi also thanked Ministry of Health for buying world class equipment worth P3 million as well as availing funds to build staff houses.
Mr Ramaphoi assured the donor and Minister of Health that the clinic would be well looked after, adding that the donation would help the government achieve Vision 2036 pillar number two.
Kgosi Dineo Mothoemang of Gasita thanked Dr Dikoloti, Trans Africa and all those who played part in the successful completion of the clinic.
The facility, he said, would go a long way in assisting the villagers as they travelled long distances for health services.
“We had challenges as tribal leadership to make birth certificates for new born children, now the clinic would help us in that regard,” he added.
Trans Africa also donated food hampers to residents of Gasita and surrounding areas.
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