Africa-Press – Botswana. President Advocate Duma Boko continues to actively engage in addressing Botswana’s healthcare challenges through direct visits to major medical facilities, assessing the availability of medicines, medical supplies, and the quality of health services delivered to the public. On Saturday, he visited Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital, a facility recently showing signs of recovery, including improved availability of essential medicines and other critical resources. During the visit, the President toured the pharmacy, laboratories, and specialised units, engaging with hospital management to understand operational challenges and opportunities for improvement. The hospital superintendent, Dr Lebogang Mokotedi, confirmed that the visit reinforced the government’s commitment to addressing healthcare issues on the ground.
A major concern highlighted during the visit was the shortage of medical personnel, including nurses, doctors, and specialists, which results in longer waiting times for patients. Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital serves as a district hospital supporting five primary hospitals, including Gweta, Rakops, Gumare, JP Kavindama in Shakawe, and Ghanzi. Dr Mokotedi emphasized that the hospital requires additional specialists, including two physicians, surgeons, and a gynaecologist, as the current staff is overwhelmed by patient demand. The waiting period to access a gynaecologist currently extends to 24 months, falling short of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals set by the Ministry of Health. Adding a second gynaecologist would improve access to specialized care and reduce delays for critical medical services.
The hospital also faces staffing gaps among midwives and general doctors. Currently, Letsholathebe employs 32 midwives, yet they assist an average of 50 pregnant mothers each week, indicating a clear need for additional personnel to maintain quality care. The facility operates with 16 doctors and has called for further deployment of medical professionals to meet patient needs and improve service delivery. Dr Mokotedi highlighted that bolstering staffing levels is crucial for ensuring that the hospital can provide timely, high-quality care to the communities it serves.
President Boko expressed his commitment to addressing these challenges by promising to engage senior officials from the Ministry of Health to find practical solutions. The discussions included strategies for recruiting and deploying additional healthcare professionals, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring that essential medical supplies remain consistently available. His visit underscored the government’s proactive approach to monitoring healthcare facilities and addressing systemic gaps that affect patient care.
Botswana continues to work toward achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, aiming to provide all citizens with access to essential health services. The visit to Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital highlighted both the progress made and the work still needed to meet UHC targets. By focusing on resource allocation, staffing, and specialist availability, the government seeks to strengthen the healthcare system, reduce waiting periods, and ensure that citizens receive the quality care they need. President Boko’s hands-on approach demonstrates the administration’s dedication to improving health outcomes across the country.
