H.E.the President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the Handover of Boswelakoko Clinic by A.S. Dada Foundation

source: Republic of Botswana TAUTONA TIMES of 8/8/2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
“Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery”


B1) 7/8/10: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT LIEUTENANT GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA AT THE HANDOVER OF BOSWELAKOKO CLINIC BY A.S. DADA FOUNDATION, BOSWELAKOKO WARD, MOLEPOLOLE

[Salutations]....Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

1. It is a great pleasure for me to officiate at the opening of this clinic. I am particularly delighted because the facility I am opening today is a generous donation by the AS Dada Foundation and is privately funded. I am informed that this clinic was constructed at a cost of P2 million. There can be no doubt that the whole community of Molepolole, and surrounding villages stand to benefit from this facility.

2. As many of you might already know, this is the third time the AS Dada Foundation has demonstrated its generosity to the community. In 1994 the same foundation built a clinic for use of the residents of Kanye. It was not so long ago that the Foundation donated a second clinic at Bontleng in Gaborone. We as government are extremely grateful to have such a partner to assist us in delivery of health care to Batswana.

3. As government we have often called for the private sector, and indeed all citizens, to support our initiatives in both economic diversification and national development. Today we are gathered to celebrate the work of a fellow citizen who has decided to heed this call. Rre Dada, please accept our most heartfelt appreciation for your generosity on this occasion. I am informed that this clinic comes as a welcome relief particularly to Borakalalo Clinic which has been congested. Consequently this clinic will greatly enhance the work of the Kweneng East District Health Management Team.

4. My government is committed to bringing health services closer to the people through a coordinated system that utilizes both clinics and hospitals for communities across the country. It is for this reason, that we recently felt it necessary to bring both the clinics and the hospitals under one authority in the Ministry of Health. All local healthcare delivery is now done through the District Health Management Teams which have been created under the direction of the Ministry of Health in every health district in the country. We believe this system will ensure decentralization of the delivery of health services to our communities through the rational and equitable utilization of both human and financial resources between the clinics and the hospitals. We expect that under the single health authority, both the clinics and the hospitals will plan their services together and be responsive to needs at the District and Ward level.

5. This donation comes at a time when we have had to make some difficult choices in prioritizing our development budget expenditure due to the global economic recession. As a result many infrastructure projects including clinics have been deferred until resources are available. This donation is therefore a cause to celebrate particularly by residents of this ward. I am informed the clinic is especially designed to accommodate maternal and child welfare programs; family planning services; and many youth friendly health services. It is also expected that this clinic will assist the Kweneng East Sub-District in dealing with major public health problems such as the treatment of tuberculosis and the provision of antiretroviral therapy.

6. Let me once again express my gratitude to Mr. Dada and his Foundation for having donated this facility. I hope your boundless generosity will see yet another donation elsewhere in the country!

7. With those remarks ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to now declare Boswelakoko Clinic officially opened! I thank you.