State-Of-The-Art P6m Renal Clinic Opens

Koketso Kgoboge | Monday August 13, 2018 13:52

It specialises in the management of renal diseases that have been identified as one of the most prevalent epidemics in the country.

The managing director of the clinic, Dr Kgosidialwa Mompati who also runs Riverside Hospital in Francistown, said the facility has been established to address challenges faced by renal patients with reference to accessing renal services. He said in the past patients had to travel as far as Johannesburg, South Africa for dialysis.

Additionally, between 2006 and 2010, Mompati said over 255 citizens had died of kidney disease. 

He highlighted that a significant number of them could have been saved had there been sufficient dialysis services (then).

The renowned doctor said 16 of his patients travel close to 500 kilometres to dialyse at his hospital in Francistown. After opening the Palapye unit, Mompati said that he was contemplating opening another one in Maun to bring life-saving care closer to his patients and other Batswana who need it.

“It is so distressing for a doctor to have patients travelling long distances to access medical care,” he said. President Masisi said that the opening of a renal clinic in Palapye was a noble effort that would add strong value to the health sector and help government in its endeavours  to provide quality health care services to Batswana.

Masisi added the availability of top standard health facilities was of great importance in the diversification of the economy and creation of employment. Riverside Hospital has 103 people in its employ of which 70% are Batswana.

“Availability of top standard health facilities also helps in the attraction of investors who would be confident that their health would be in good care, while they help in the creation of employment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Masego Olebile urged the government to consider developing a new hospital in the village.

He said Palapye Primary Hospital was overwhelmed and  struggling to service the village and communities in its periphery.

In recent years, the village has experienced rapid growth, which makes the need for another health facility all the more necessary, more so because of a rise in various economic activities.