29 Apr 2025

 The Ministry of Health is committed to ensure access to quality healthcare services by all. 

Acting Secretary for Specialised Healthcare from the ministry, Dr Rex Segadimo made the remarks during Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital 16 years’ anniversary celebration aimed to reflect on the journey that had shaped the hospital into a trusted institution and to appreciate the achievements so far. He said the ministry was working towards making specialised health services more accessible.

“We want more specialists to come to Maun. We want surgeries here and other health experts so that people can stop travelling long distances to access such services,” he said. 

In addition, he thanked health practitioners for the sacrifices they made to save lives through provision of quality services even at odd hours. He said they conquered despite working with limited resources.

 “I know you are working under challenging conditions but you go for an extra mile for the patients who need your help. Sometimes as specialists you do night and weekends on-calls and this is commendable,” he added assuring staff that the ministry would do its best to turn around things for the better.

Dr Segadimo said the ministry recognised their work and was determined to improve the welfare and wellbeing of all health workers so that they became more productive in their workplaces.

Giving an overview of the 270-bed facility opened in 2009, the hospital manager, Ms Sehako Motshodi-Motsumi said the hospital was the only one in the North West with an CT scan, which was a medical imaging technique that used x-rays to create detailed images of the body.

The hospital, she said was also the only one with two ophthalmologists saying patients with eye problems could easily access the service closer and also a theatre where operation services were manned. She also pointed that they needed to expedite efforts to open the Intensive Care Unit as some patients may require services from the unit.

She also apprised the gathering on the latest developments in the hospital citing the garden, which she said provided a calming and therapeutic environment, promoted overall health and well-being within the hospital.

The garden, she said would benefit staff, patients and caregivers, adding that the visitors and caregivers who checked on patients were staying inside the hospital and yet the environment was not conducive for them. But now, she said they had a place to sit, relax and enjoy their meals. She also highlighted that staff would also utilise the place for relaxation.

Hospital Superintendent, Dr Lebogang Mokotedi thanked all stakeholders for their contribution toward the success of the hospital.

“This is worth celebrating because we are faced with challenges as staff and we show up every day to serve patients. This speaks about the tenacity of the health care professionals we have in this area,” she added. ENDS