News

University of Botswana Faculty of Medicine (UBFOM) has donated primary health care equipment worth P60 000 to 14 Gaborone District Health Management Team (DHMT) clinics.

The equipment, each comprising 14 bed screens, patient benches and examination couches, was handed over and received on behalf of Gaborone DHMT by Dr Mothusi Mogatle at UB on May 7, 2021.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Oathokwa Nkomazana, underscored the importance of creating a synergy between UB and Gaborone DHMT to give medical students practical experience in primary health care.

Through a student placement programme that UBFOM established with Gaborone DHMT some five years ago, learners placed in clinics in and around Gaborone get exposed to basic primary health care principles, thereby gaining invaluable practical experience.

Consequently, Professor Nkomazana said the collaboration between UBFOM and Gaborone DHMT was mutually beneficial in that the equipment donated would help offset shortage of equipment in the 14 clinics besides students gaining practical experience in primary health care particularly at grassroots level.

Responding on behalf of Gaborone DHMT, Dr Mogatle also appreciated the collaboration between UBFOM and his team because he reckoned its contribution towards student development in addition to enhancing primary health care delivery in Botswana. Dr Mogatle emphasised the primacy of research, patient confidentiality, medical service and professionalism in that they played a central role in enhancing knowledge as well as efficient and excellent primary health care delivery.

Giving a vote of thanks, UB Head of the Department of Medical Education, Dr Detlef Prozesky, applauded all stakeholders for working tirelessly to grow medical health care in Botswana.