20 Dec 2024

Among the issues that tug at the heartstrings of her heart, First Lady Kaone Boko cites child welfare issues, and is resolute that she will do her utmost to help find solutions especially to those that require urgent action.

Ms Boko, who was speaking during a tour of Ghanzi Primary Hospital on December 19, said she would champion issues affecting children, particularly those pertaining to their health.

She said reports of high levels of malnutrition among children in Ghanzi District were a worrying phenomenon that called for urgent solutions, and noted that it was disturbing that in this age and Botswana still had children suffering from malnutrition.

She thus assured the leadership of Ghanzi District Health Management Team (DHMT) of her support in helping find solutions to the problem, and others affecting children.

The First Lady, who visited hospital’s wards to share Christmas hampers with admitted patients, said it was important to cheer them up and lift their spirits especially since they could not be with their loved during the festive season.

“It is a jolly season and we would all love to be home,” she said, adding that it was hard for the patients to find themselves confined to hospital beds during such a time.

Ms Boko also praised healthcare workers for their dedication to work, saying theirs was a selfless act of love for the nation.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae said government was people-centered and committed to excellence, which called for the public service to adopt the same stance and ensure that Batswana received quality service.

Mr Salakae, who is also Member of Parliament for Ghanzi, encouraged public officers to aim high as they served.

Acting DHMT coordinator Ms Eliza Basimanebotlhe said Ghanzi DHMT, which encompassed Ghanzi and Charleshill districts was grappling with several challenges including malnutrition, pregnancy of underage girls and a high number of home deliveries.

Ms Basimanebotlhe said malnutrition levels in the area under Ghanzi DHMT were at 10 per cent, higher than the national target of 2.9 per cent.

On underage girls falling pregnant, she said two months back, they had a 12-year-old girl undergo a Caesarean Section birth at the Ghanzi Primary Hospital.

Regarding home deliveries, she said efforts to lower them by setting up space with the hospital where highly expectant mothers could await the onset of labour did not yield the intended results as pregnant women did not utilise the space in numbers.

Another concern for Ghanzi hospital, Ms Basimanebotlhe said was constraints in terms of space.

She said this had compelled them to set up a portion of space within the female ward to serve as a paediatric ward.

As part of her engagements in Ghanzi, the First Lady also had a meet and greet session with the leadership of Ghanzi District where she concurred with them on the need to promote and preserve their cultures as the residents of the area. Ends