Chinese refurbish Mogoditshane Clinic

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday May 8, 2014 10:34

The facilities were unveiled yesterday at a ceremony attended by CACB president, M iles Nan and Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolokae. CACB spent P900,000 on the project that included repainting the entire clinic, paving the floors, changing water pipes and refurbishing the toilets.

The Chinese assistance was prompted by President Ian Khama’s plea for local companies to renovate the clinic, after villagers complained about its decrepit state.  Speaking at the handover of spruced up clinic, Nan said the assistance was given as a way of participating in the community development activities. “Today I am happy to see that our efforts have been of benefit. We are handing over this project with the Chinese entrepreneurs’ support,” he said.

Somolokae hailed the Chinese for sprucing up one of the oldest clinics in the country. The Mogoditshane Clinic was built in 1973.

“This is one of the old facilities that could have long been renovated in 2009, but financial constraints prevented us from doing so. That is why after residents appealed to His Excellency, he also turned to business people and the community for help.” Somolokae said with the renovation, the clinic would be empowered to continue offering hygienic and improved services to the community, in all types of weather.

Head of the Greater Gaborone District Health Management Team, Geoffrey Simoonga, said that while Mogoditshane Clinic was small, it served 65,000 patients last year, up from an average of 58,000.

He said on average, the clinic handles up to 160 patients per day, hence the refurbishment is critical. 

The Chinese association has been involved in several other initiatives, including the Warm Winter Project where Batswana are given blankets for the cold and the Right-to-Sight Project where medical teams conduct eye examinations and check-ups.