Hospitals happy with UB trained medical doctors
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana (UB), Prof. David Norris says Hospital Managers across the country are very happy with the quality of the university’s trained medical doctors.
The Vice Chancellor was addressing councillors on Wednesday at Selebi Phikwe Town Council. The relatively new School of Medicine at the University has already produced doctors, both general practitioners and specialists now plying their trade in various hospitals across the country, Prof Norris has said.
He pointed out that the UB’s medical programme is an excellent one and was designed in partnership with the top two universities in the world, being Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania which is commonly known as UPenn. He revealed that another top institution of higher learning, the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom has recently expressed interest in partnering with the UB School of Medicine which bears testimony to the desirable quality that the university produces.
Prof. Norris conceded that while UB has played a very big role in the development of human capital needed to drive the economy of the country, the university has lagged behind in communicating their research output to the relevant communities and sectors so as to further impact positively on the economic development of the nation. He advanced that UB should have been the first to conduct research on the socio-economic impact posed by the closure of the BCL mine and coming up with recommendations on which economic activities can be conducted to breathe life back in the now ailing Selebi Phikwe.
The Vice Chancellor noted that UB was founded on the basis of the generosity of the people and therefore the university should play a meaningful role in economic development for Batswana. He pointed out that community engagement is central in building an all-inclusive institution where the university uses its great resources to impact positive change in different spheres of life and improve economic and social conditions as espoused in the university’s mission statement.
“For every challenge encountered, one has to rise up and succeed in the midst of challenges. We are here for you. UB was set up for the nation and therefore UB must rise up to the occasion and help the nation,” said Prof Norris. He said that the university has highly qualified academic staff who conduct academic deep-dive researches which are not known to the general public and business, pointing out that it is time for the university to go and meet the communities and local businesses to share research findings in order to inspire innovation and technological advancement.
“We cannot have a situation where professors sit in the office and pile up researches that they use only for their promotion. As professors, when we do research, one has to answer the question of whose problem are you trying to solve. We have played a big role in the development of human capital but we need to do a lot more. We have to do research with a developmental focus,” he said.
He described the Faculty of Business as fully fledged, capacitated and ready to work with various businesses to help them to thrive and enhance economic development. Prof Norris explained that Government Departments, local authorities and businesses can be partners in the building of an economically developed nation backed by research as businesses rely on innovation to prosper.
The Vice Chancellor further revealed that they intend to revise their strategic foundations to align their objectives with focus on becoming a leading international academic centre of excellence which is highly research intensive. He said as UB, they want to become a research based institution as universities across the world are recognised and ranked by the quality of their research output. To achieve this, he said the university will increase the number for postgraduate studies in order to improve their research capacity, pointing further that this is necessary as nations’ economies are driven by research and innovation.
Prof Norris said that their research interests include protection of indigenous knowledge where traditional medicine can be linked to science where people with knowledge of the traditional medicine can work with UB Scientists to scientifically test and provide scientific information for the traditional mixtures.
He said it is mind-boggling that in the modern day, some mothers who go to the hospitals to give birth never go back home alive while mothers in the olden times and some today who give birth at home through the help of elders undergo a normal natural birth and survive to take care of their babies. Prof Norris noted that traditional knowledge on natural birth can be shared with scientists to enhance delivery methods in maternity wards where life will be preserved and not lost.
Another partnering opportunity is with regard to the use of the University’s state-of-the-art facilities like the Indoor Sport Centre, the Olympic-size swimming pool and the stadium which sport developers can utilise to produce top athletes that can compete in international stage and fly the Botswana flag high.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.