Dada Foundation Keeps Its Promises

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Monday August 9, 2010 00:00

 

Already, two clinics have been built in Kanye and Bontleng. The building of the fourth clinic in Kanye has been completed. The Molepolole clinic has been built at a cost of P2 million. It has child welfare, maternity and family planning services among others. The clinic is expected to assist in dealing with major public health problems like tuberculosis. 

Speaking at the handover ceremony attended by President Ian Khama and cabinet ministers, Yusuf Dada of AS Dada Foundation said they take pride in helping the communities in which they live in because government alone cannot take care of everybody's needs. 'There is nothing as fulfilling as making improvements on other people's lives,' Dada said. He added that the development of any country is not attainable without the contribution of individuals.

Dada said the Ipelegeng concept that Batswana adopted when the country got independence in 1966 is still relevant. He said the Setswana adage: 'Kgetsi ya tsie e kgonwa ke go tshwaraganelwa' cannot be more true. He advised that good health does not just come from good health facilities but is a process that involves personal efforts like regular exercises and eating well.

Accepting the clinic on behalf of the Molepolole community, Khama expressed gratitude to the AS Dada Foundation for having always been good partners in health delivery. 'Rre Dada please accept our heartfelt appreciation for your generosity,'

Khama said. He stated that the facility comes as a welcome relief for the Borakalalo clinic that has been overwhelmed by patients.

The President said his government is committed to bringing health services closer to the people through a coordinated system. That is why it has been decided that clinics and hospitals come under one body.

Khama said the system will decentralise the delivery of health services. He added that the Molepolole clinic could not have come at a more opportune time when the government has made some difficult choices in prioritising the development budget due to global economic recession. The prioritisation has seen the construction of some clinics shelved because of budgetary constraints.