BDC pumps P50m into healthcare
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday June 27, 2023 06:00
The Corporation is the state’s premier investment agency, promoting economic diversity through equity and debt injections into strategic sectors. It invests in commercially viable projects across all sectors of the economy except large-scale diamond mining.
These sectors include energy, manufacturing, industry, property, services, tourism, innovation and technology as well as agriculture locally. The BDC managing director, Cross Kgosidiile said FAH stands as a testament to the Corporation’s unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence and the relentless pursuit of progress in Botswana. “It represents the unyielding belief in the power of collaboration and the collective determination to provide world-class healthcare services to the people of this great nation,” he said at the official opening.
“This further symbolises our commitment to investing for impact in our communities and not just for financial returns. “We are ready for the dawn of a new day in Botswana healthcare.” FAH has been able to employ 150 people during construction and currently has a staff complement of 184 medical and non-medical.
The hospital is a 59-bed facility (150-bed at full capacity in the long term) developed to service the Botswana market and the region. The hospital is poised to provide nine key specialities including Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement, Arthroplasty, Gastroenterology; Gynaecology; General Surgery, Specialised Surgery, and General Medicine and Critical Care. The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) CEO, Keletsositse Olebile said the BDC’s intention and desire, as outlined in Vision 2036, is to see Botswana developing world class health care services through technology and advanced innovative healthcare delivery systems. “What we are witnessing today is testament that this is not just a vision, but a realistic one.
“We see the private sector stepping up and answering the call to work with the government and ease the burden of health care from the government and this is indeed commendable. “As recently as 2019, we witnessed the launch of another health facility in Gaborone, Sidilega Private Hospital, also giving testament to the positive outcomes of collaboration between the private sector, the BITC, the BDC and the government,” Olebile said. For his part, Trade and Industry minister, Mmusi Kgafela said healthcare expenditure is expected to grow significantly locally and internationally in the next decade, highlighting the need for urgent investment to provide care for citizens. “Such rapid growth makes the healthcare sector a necessary and viable industry for capital investment in our current economic environment,” he said.
“Therefore, investments into large-scale projects such as the healthcare sector are of great and urgent interest to the Botswana government to facilitate because they improve lives in Botswana as people gain access to quality medical care, create jobs and open opportunities to Botswana businesses to trade and supply products and services to such facilities. “It is also a key to our country’s alignment with the international agenda.” The Minister of Health, Edwin Dikoloti said the FAH project was particularly close to his heart as such initiatives were key in saving Botswana's population from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dikoloti described the opening of FAH as a milestone in Botswana’s healthcare sector and a sign of the government’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare services.
“As the Minister of Health, I recognise the importance of having a strong healthcare system that meets the growing needs of our people. “The opening of this hospital represents a significant step in achieving that objective. “FAH represents a significant milestone in our journey towards accessible and high-quality healthcare for all.
“This modern facility is equipped with the latest medical equipment, advanced diagnostics, and treatment technologies. “It will serve as a centre of excellence, attracting medical professionals from within and outside our borders to collaborate, learn and provide the best possible care for our patients,” he said. It is anticipated that the new hospital will facilitate the integration of Botswana's healthcare system into regional markets, establishing a benchmark for expansion into the SADC region and beyond. Already, the hospital has linkages with neighbouring Zimbabwe and future target locations include Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia in the long term.