16 Mar 2025

Government regards health as a human right hence welcomes partnerships that aim to improve the lives of Batswana such as availing necessary healthcare services.
Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise remarked during the official handing over ceremony of the revamped Jubilee Psychiatric Ward by Botswana Telecommunications (BTC) Friday in Francistown, a contribution he highly commended.
He said government was grappling with the growing numbers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among them, mental health conditions.
He noted that the commitment to maintain peace and restore dignity for those affected by mental illnesses was a welcome development.
“Mental health is not an isolated issue but a pervasive public health challenge that impacts all,” he said and further explained that a good number of people experienced a form of mental challenge at some point in their life, with some requiring specialised care.
He said in some instances, people with mental health still encountered stigma, discrimination and abuse even from their immediate family and community members hence encouraged partnerships similar to the one with BTC, that helped to improve access to healthcare services.
He shunned those stigmatising people with mental health conditions and called for public education in an effort to restore the dignity of patients and health care providers.
Furthermore, Minister Modise urged BTC to consider adopting Jubilee Psychiatric Unit fully, as a part of their initiative to improve mental health services in Francistown.
He said such would ensure that mental health care was not just a service but a shared commitment to uplift the community.
BTC acting chief executive officer, Ms Boitumelo Paya, said healthcare was a cornerstone of communities hence BTC was proud to contribute.
She said the journey started December last year by the BTC Employee Social Responsibility Movement (BTC-ESR), after discovering that there was a pressing need in the psychiatric ward.
She said the project included replacement and painting of the ceiling, external and internal paintings, replacement of window panes, plumbing works and others which amounted to P143 000.
“Our goal with this initiative is to enhance quality of care, provide better resources and improve the environment for the patients and stuff,” said Ms Paya.
She said development would have a lasting positive impact on the lives of those affected by mental health.
Nyangabgwe Hospital Superintendent, Dr Ivan Kgetse also commended BTC for showing care for others. ENDS