Botswana benefits from US medical foundation
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday May 27, 2014 16:08
A statement from BUIST says the mission will see high-level professionals visiting local communities to offer medical solutions to the country’s most pressing health care challenges.
The medical mission is a tripartite partnership between the Ministry of Health, Niamey Medical Foundation and BIUST.
“The meeting was necessary to afford the medical mission consultant from the Unites States, Dr Augustine Onwukwe the opportunity to familiarise himself with the local environment as well as to assess and determine the number of medical areas to be covered by the mission,” said the BIUST statement after the meeting.
It added that the Niamey Medical Foundation aims to provide vital healthcare services to impoverished individuals in Botswana, most of whom languish as they wait for services they desperately need.
“It will also assist the underdeveloped health care systems such as hospitals and health centres to provide them with diagnostic medical equipment to enhance their capability to diagnose and treat various disease entities and medical conditions.
BIUST Vice Chancellor Professor Hilary Inyang said the science-oriented institution cannot ignore the aspect of economic development.
He said that they will not only concentrate on health issues, but will have projects in education and energy. “We have been consulting with key organisations like hospitals and made interventions where we can,” he added.
Inyang said that BIUST will ensure active involvement of the community and buy an ambulance it will share with the local health facilities.
He said BIUST will avail laboratories and technology in addition to high-level research programmes that require high-level technicians.
“We will do the same with the area of energy as well. We have a specific mission to contribute to sustainable development,” he added.
Dr Augustine Onwukwe of the Niamey Medical Mission said their visit marks the beginning of great things for Botswana.
“I call for collaboration with key stakeholders to fine tune the programme in order for it to meet the needs of the local community. I want to see the health aspect being properly addressed. We may not be able to access all areas, but we will focus on key areas when we start,” he said.
Niamey Foundation plans to make basic and specialised medical services accessible to many areas through a multi-specialty hospital at which it will diagnose and treat diseases and medical conditions such as hypertension, HIV//AIDS, cancer, diabetes mellitus and malaria.
The foundation says that it will strive to offer an unparalleled level of care by continually seeking ways to improve the delivery and access care.