Julia Molefhe dies at 85
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday March 7, 2023 06:00
The famous Julia Molefhe Clinic in Block 9, Gaborone was named in honour of the passionate nurse because she was the facility's first matron, one of the biggest public clinics in the capital city.
The health facility was christened as Julia Molefhe Clinic for her dedication and appreciation for her illustrious service to the nation. According to Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) president, Peter Baleseng, Molefhe was one of the nurses that served this country when there were no doctors. “During that time, doctors would visit the hospital or a clinic once in a while after two or three months because one doctor was covering many clinics in a wide area which included villages,” he said.
“So during that time, matrons ensured that patients are well taken care of. The reason why we have the best primary care model is because of people like Molefhe who was the founding matron. Nowadays, some countries are benchmarking in Botswana.” Baleseng said Botswana has a good health system which was the idea that was brought up by nurses to improve healthcare. He added Molefhe was remembered very well when the country was hard hit by HIV/AIDS as they introduced what is called ‘home-based care’.
This is a system that helped the community to accept their patients, recovery of patients at home, how a patient can accept themselves and their condition, and also reduce congestion in hospitals. Molefhe worked in various hospitals including those in Lobatse, Serowe, Francistown and Maun. Her day-to-day responsibilities included being in charge of various wards.
She studied midwifery in the United Kingdom and also did further training in nursing, gynaecology, obstetrics and public health. After retiring, she opened the Kagiso Nursing Care agency, which provides nursing care to those who require the service in the comfort of their homes.
She also served as a board member for Old Age Home in Gaborone, Botswana Youth Centre and was an active member of the Anglican Mothers Union. She got three awards which include a community award, the World Horizon International award and another for Julia Molefhe Clinic. Molefhe is survived by her three children; two daughters and a son.