29 June 2023
Last Thursday, Francistown Academic Hospital officially opened its doors to the public. The private hospital lies along A1 road near Tati Siding village, 10 km from the city of Francistown.
It was built by private health company Indus Health Care Group in partnership with the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), with the BDC pumping P50 million into the project. The establishment of the project was facilitated by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC).
Giving a project overview, the Executive Head at Francistown Academic, Dr Navtej Singh said the hospital is an unexpected jewel in the second city as it is the only private healthcare facility along the A1 road. The medical specialisation at the 8000 square metre hospital, comprises Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatric, Laparoscopic Endoscopic surgeons, Spinal cord surgeons and general surgeons, among others. Dr Singh said these specialists are assisted and supported by over 100 accredited health professionals.
“The workforce currently comprises a total of 201 staff, with 144 women and 57 men, of which 80% are citizens,” he said.
Speaking during the launch, BDC Managing Director, Cross Kgosidiile said the state-of-the-art hospital is testament to the unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence and the relentless pursuit of progress in the country.
“It represents the unyielding belief in the power of collaboration and the collective determination to provide world-class healthcare to the people of this great nation. This further symbolises our commitment to investing for impact in our communities, and not just for financial returns,” he said.
He said BDC has been at the helm of building Botswana’s industries, and that for 53 years, the organisation has been securing the future of Botswana’s wealth as a government investment arm.
For his part, the Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the opening of this facility is a milestone in the country’s healthcare sector and a sign of the government’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare services. He said from the onset, the Botswana government has been supportive of state enterprises such as the BDC and BITC in their effort to make the project a success.
He further heaped praise on BITC for its role in attracting foreign direct investment and facilitating partnerships which led to the Indus Healthcare Group establishing the facility. He also commended the Indus Health Care Group for its vision, expertise and unwavering commitment to delivering quality healthcare services.
“Your dedication to promoting medical excellence, coupled with your strong partnership with local stakeholders, has ensured that the hospital meets the set standards. Your investment in this facility will also undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge in our country,” Minister Dikoloti said.
Dr Dikoloti said the government would continue to work closely with the private sector to improve access to healthcare for all citizens. He said they would ensure that local health policies and strategies align with the broader goal of providing affordable and quality healthcare to all.
Dr Dikoloti said according to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services. He said by establishing the Francistown Academic Hospital, the government is taking a bold step towards bridging the gap and ensuring citizens have access to quality healthcare.
Giving a keynote address, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela, who was the guest speaker, said this is a very important project as it was key in saving the lives of Batswana at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said there is an urgency to establish such facilities in the region.
“It is anticipated that health expenditure will outpace GDP growth over the next 15 years in almost every Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country.
“Health spending per capita will grow at an annual rate of 2.7% across the OECD and will reach 10.2% of GDP by 2030, up from 8.8% in 2018. Such rapid growth makes the healthcare sector a necessary, and viable industry for capital investment in our current economic environment,” he said.
He further said although Botswana has its fair share of social and economic hardships, which were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project would bring renewed hope and the attainment of the country’s national goals.
Source: https://www.sundaystandard.info/francistown-academic-hospital-opens/
