Now Marina suspends patients� referrals to South Africa
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday April 21, 2015 18:00
Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) suspended patients’ referrals to South Africa (SA) since yesterday, PMH
Chief Communications and Public Relations Officer, Donnell Kutlapye, has stated in a press release. “Princess Marina Hospital has decided to suspend routine patient referrals to all hospitals in South Africa with immediate effect due to the sporadic xenophobic attacks taking place in that country,” he said. Kutlapye explained that this was done for the safety of their staff and patients. He said although they were aware that these attacks were happening in few areas in South Africa, they were also aware that they could have ripple effect.
“However, referral arrangements for patients with life threatening conditions and emergencies will continue. Transportation of patients with the above mentioned conditions have been done to avoid loss of life,” he said. Kutlapye further stated that travel arrangements for patients who have been discharged in South African Hospitals had been conducted through Healthshare Intergrated Solutions and the Botswana Consulate in Johannesburg. He added that private ambulances from South Africa would collect patients at the boarder post, or use Medical Rescue International Air support. Kutlapye added that the same arrangement would be made for discharged patients in South Africa. “We have taken this decision looking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s (Botswana) advice that Batswana should delay their travel to South Africa, until the xenophobic violence situation abates,” he said.