Debswana Diamond Company undertook a stakeholder engagement visit to the Ministry of Health to strengthen collaboration on healthcare delivery. Led by Rachel Mothibatsela, Executive Head of Corporate Affairs, and supported by Health Principal Dr Kegomoditswe Maphane, Mine Hospital Superintendents and the Social Impact team, Debswana shared insights on its healthcare contributions and key initiatives.
As a major public and private healthcare provider, Debswana delivers high-quality medical services to over 200,000 patients annually through its two Mine Hospitals based in Orapa and Jwaneng, with an annual healthcare investment approaching P300 million. In terms of access, 80 percent of the people who utilise services from Debswana-operated hospitals are members of the public, while only 20 percent are employees. The two hospitals are accredited by the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA).
The Permanent Secretary (PS), Dr Oathokwa Nkomazana welcomed the team and expressed delight at the opportunity to meet with Debswana, describing the company as a critical stakeholder in healthcare provision in the country. Dr Nkomazana also shared that her main priorities are to revitalise primary health care, optimise specialist health services, re-engineer operational processes and strengthen oversight and regulatory functions.
During the engagement, Mothibatsela called for the renewed collaboration between Debswana and the Ministry of Health. She highlighted the Botsogo Teemane programme as a flagship partnership between Debswana and the Ministry of Health that is designed to enhance community health outcomes in Boteti and Jwaneng Mabutsane areas.
The two parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on ways to improve the status of health, primarily in host communities and eventually roll over the programme nationally. Dr. Maphane also noted that there are opportunities that both parties should explore to address challenges being faced by Debswana and the Ministry of Health in the provision of healthcare.
Anchored on strengthening partnership and collaboration, both parties agreed on key deliverables to be achieved following the engagement: Resuscitating the partnerships steering committee to facilitate Botsogo Teemane Programme implementation; Organising engagement between Debswana and Ministry of Health to discuss further critical areas of mutual agreement, and lastly to organize visit to Debswana hospitals by Ministry of Health team to appreciate the services provided by Debswana health facilities.
