Africa-Press – Botswana. Government is embarking on a digitisation drive aimed at modernising the entire healthcare ecosystem, the Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise has said.
Speaking after the tour of the Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in Francistown on June 6, Dr Modise emphasised that the initiative would encompass health posts, clinics, and hospitals, ensuring that all sectors of the healthcare system were interconnected and efficient.
“Our ultimate goal is to implement a ‘one patient, one record’ system that streamlines patient information across all healthcare facilities,” he said.
Dr Modise further explained that the initiative involved upgrading existing infrastructure across all areas of health, with a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance service delivery. In addition, the minister highlighted the importance of e-telemedicine, especially in supporting healthcare access in rural areas.
“By utilising technology, we can bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare, ensuring that all citizens receive the quality care they deserve,” he said.
This proactive approach, he said, reflected the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and making services more accessible and efficient for all citizens.
On other issues, Dr Modise emphasised the critical role of ministry staff in the healthcare system, saying healthcare professionals were the driving force behind the health services.
“Every individual, from the hospital superintendent to the driver and messenger, plays a crucial part in the delivery of care,” the minister said.
Dr Modise noted that his visits were vital not only for assessing the successes and challenges faced by hospitals, but also for recognising and appreciating the efforts of staff.
“By understanding their challenges, we can boost their morale and encourage them to provide the best care possible, despite the hurdles they face,” he added.
He explained that such visits underscored the ministry’s commitment to support heathcare workers and address the myriad challenges they faced in providing care to the community.
Dr Naomi Onyango, Head of the Pediatric Department, raised significant concerns regarding equipment shortages and the need for specialised nursing staff in the pediatric ward. She highlighted that these shortages had compounded challenges, as the ward often faced congestion, which hindered day-to-day operations.
Hospital Superintendent, Dr Ivan Kgetsi explained that Nyangabgwe, as a referral hospital, served a large catchment area, which presented its own logistical challenges.
He emphasised the need for an ambulance specifically for transporting pediatric nurses, as a more sustainable solution than costly airlifting or long road transport for critical patients.
Dr Kgetsi commended the paediatric ward for its performance, despite the challenges it faced, and noted that the hospital regularly received critical cases, including those involving young children and high-risk pregnant women.
The minister also visited the antenatal ward, where he witnessed firsthand the strain on resources.
With a capacity for 28 beds, the ward sometimes accommodates up to 65 patients, with inadequate staffing, a minimum of three midwives instead of the required five. In the accident and emergency ward, with 28 personnel operating around the clock, Critical Care and Trauma Nurse, Ms Judy Baane has said. She highlighted that one of the pressing issues was the lack of specialised medical training for some doctors and nurses.
Furthermore, she expressed concern regarding the influx of walk-in patients, which complicated the care process.
He acknowledged that while the accident and emergency unit was performing well, it faced challenges in prioritising sensitive cases, such as sexual assault victims, which required specialised medical attention not readily available.
The visit continued to the X-ray department, where Dr Modise was informed of equipment shortages and malfunctioning machines, a problem affecting many hospitals across the country.
He also toured the pathology unit, where staff shortages and the absence of backup equipment have led to a backlog of cases.
Currently, the unit operates routine tests but is in dire need of automated machines to enhance efficiency. In the pharmacy department, which includes the drug unit and outpatient dispensary, staff shortages and inadequate medication supplies were major points of discussion.
It was highlighted that there was a need for additional clinical pharmacists to collaborate with doctors, especially given that essential medications, including antibiotics, were frequently out of stock.
Dr Kgetsi also stressed the urgency for a new Central Medical Store (CMS) in the northern region and advocated for the digitisation of hospital records.
He noted that the hospital’s current ICT infrastructure was outdated, preventing them from utilising technology effectively and improving patient management systems. The visit concluded with a stop at the blood transfusion centre, where the minister was informed that this was the most expensive unit of the hospital with an annual budget of over P2 million, which gets exhausted in a short period of time.
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