Concept: Friends of Gantsi Primary Hospital

Prepared by

Dr Barnabas A. Mbogo.

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1.0 Background: Friends of Gantsi Primary Hospital.

Humans have always relied on friendship. We never would have made it out of the Stone

Age without cooperation and companionship. Nowadays, we may not need our

immediate circle to help gather food or fend off predators, but friends can still be absolute

lifesavers. Many studies over the years have found that people generally live longer,

happier, healthier lives if they have a strong network of support from friends and family.

Governments have a responsibility for the health of their people which can be fulfilled

only by the provision of adequate health and social measures. A main social target of

governments, international organizations and the whole world community in the coming

decades should be the attainment by all peoples of the world of a level of health that will

permit them to lead a socially and economically productive life. Primary health care is

the key to attaining this target as part of development in the spirit of social justice.

Primary health care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and

socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals

and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the

community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the

spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.

Primary health forms an integral part both of the country's health system, of which it is

the central function and main focus, and of the overall social and economic development

of the community. It is the first level of contact of individuals, the family and community

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with the national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where people

live and work, and constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process.

2.0 Profile of Gantsi District.

 Geographical location

Gantsi town is located on the Western Part of the republic of Botswana in Southern

Africa, It is the administrative center of Gantsi District and is commonly known as “the

capital of Kalahari” Gantsi district measures 117910 sq km and is bordered by

Ngamiland to North, Central District to East, Kgalagadi and Kweneng Districts to the

South. Its Western border is shared with Namibia.

 Population profile

The total population of Gantsi District is estimated to be 33,702 individuals distributed in

Gantsi township and in the farm settlements in Bere, Charleshill, East

Hanahai,GrooteLaaagte,Kacgae,Karakubis,Kule,Makunda,NewXade,Nojane,Qabo,Tsoot

sha and west Hanahai

 History

The first Afrikaner to settle in Gantsi was Hendrik van Zyl who set up a small hunting

and trading enterprise in the area around 1870.However, the first substantial Boer

migration into Gantsi began around 1897-1898

Gantsi was also first a farm of someone. The place known today as Gantsi was first called

Kamp. Kalahari Arms Hotel and the Barclays bank in Gantsi are some of the first est. in

Gantsi.

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  Geology and Climate

The district’s land surface mainly consists of gently undulating sand yield which lies

between 1,100 and 1,230 meters above sea level .The Kalahari is the largest continuous

stretch of sand in the World, covering some 2,500 sq. km. Karoo sediments, covered by

younger and basaltic lavas, underlie most of the Kalahari sands and about half of the

country of Botswana. The sands of Kalahari vary in depth from 5m to 200m.

The climate is semi-arid of the low-altitude, high-steppe variety with summer rainfall.

Mean maximum daily temperatures are 33-45°C in January and around 22°C in July;

mean minimum temperatures are 4 to -5°C in the winter months. The long-term mean

annual rainfall is around 375mm although this can vary by up to 50% year by year.

Generally speaking, both the climate and the soils are unfavorable for arable farming.

Small cultivation is spread over the district but is limited to subsistence crops of maize,

sorghum, beans, peas, and melons.

 Commercial developments

Gantsi has only one bank, Barclays Bank which is sub branch and has ATM also, Gantsi

now has three shopping centers, namely Gantsi Spar, Choppies and recently opened

Saverite

 Tourism and Events

An annual farm show in June attracts many people from all over the southern Africa. It is

also a great time where all the people in Gantsi come together and cerebrate. Actions are

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also held at the premises and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) usually comes to show

their weapondry and stuff. Gantsi also is a stop-over point for travelers wishing to visit

the Okavango Delta, there are many lodges in the area and one filling station namely

Shell, it is the only available fill-up point between Kang and Maun, which is a span about

500 Km, if you are traveling to the Okavango Delta. The major places where tourist can

stay is Kalahari Arms, Khawa Lodge, Thakadu Camp, Gantsi Lodge and Tautona Lodge

There are lots of interesting things to see in Gantsi, as it is a Bushmen town. Kuru has a

snail shop there, where a person is able to buy various handcrafted Bushmen articles.

There are a few sightseeing spots in Gantsi -Lions, cheetahs and wild dogs can be seen in

big spots made available to them at the main gate of TauTona. There is also a place called

“Gantsi gat". This is a hole that was made while the tar road was being made in Gantsi,

but while using dynamite to break the rock open, the people accidentally opened a water

vein. This filled the 40m deep hole with water.

 Agriculture

Gantsi is primarily a farming community that supplies the Botswana Meat Commissions

with most of the required beef produce. The town is growing as many South African

farmers are coming to farm here.

4.0 Objectives for Friends of Gantsi Primary Hospital.

The main objective of this organization is to bring the hospital to the community and the

community to the hospital. Gantsi community does not recognize the hospital as part of

their own facility, as most of personnel who work at the Gantsi primary hospital does not

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originate from Gantsi district, hence there is a tendency of repulsion between the hospital

staff and the indigenous community. This kind of situation hampers some of basic

hospital service to the community. This organization will serve as a platform for

community and the hospital to come together and harmonize the existing situation for

betterment of Gantsi district community as a whole.

Therefore Gantsi Primary Hospital invites friends from various backgrounds, culture and

social perspectives who have well wishes with Gantsi community.

Two types of friends have established namely

i. Local friends – refers to individuals and groups based locally. i.e.

individuals, companies, organizations, institutions, parastatals,

government departments etc

ii. International friends - refers to individuals and groups based beyond

Botswana border. i.e, individuals, companies, organizations, financial ,

health institutions, parastatals, town, cities, etc

5.0 Benefits gained from friendship relationship includes but not limited to:-

i. Organization for blood donation

ii. Contribution for hospital devices/equipments

iii. Undertake researches, survey at the hospital through Ministry of Health

iv. Support minor services at the hospital facility

v. Facilitate awards for Hospital Annual Best Performer.

vi. Facilitate donation to the community e.g OVC, HBC etc

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6.0 List of identified co-corporate friends at Gantsi Township includes:-

i. Telecommunication providers

 Botswana Telecommunication

 Mascom

 Orange

ii. Hotel and Lodges

 Kalahari Arms, Khawa Lodge, Thakadu Lodge, Gantsi Lodge.

iii. Supermarkets and shopping centers

 Bonanza,Choppies, Spar, Saverite,Sefalana, Trans Oasis, GFS,

PEP,CB Stores, Jet, Topline,Shell filling station

iv. Furniture Store

 Ellerines, Furnmart, Cosmos, AB Spares.

v. Government Entities

 CEDA, LEA, Gantsi Land Board, Gantsi Post Office,

vi. Financial Institutions

 Barclays Bank, Blue and Letshego Cash Loan,

vii. Communities

 Tebelopele, Gantsi Police, Sports Bar, Sexahana Bar, Football

Clubs i.e. Terrors FC, Mokento FC etc,

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7.0 Friends of Gantsi Primary Hospital Structure.

The friends of Gantsi Hospital will be driven by the Secretariat, under supervision of

Hospital Advisory Committee under the Guidance of the Hospital Chief Medical Officer.

7.1 Description of the management structure.

1. Chief Medical Officer

 Guardian of the organization

 Consultation and advice

2. Hospital Advisory Committee

 Advice on feasible activities with government and country polices.

3. Secretariat.

3.1 Leadership and members:

 The Secretariat Team will constitute eight (8) personnel including the

Chairperson of the Hospital Advisory Committee.

 Chairperson of the Hospital advisory committee shall be a permanent

member of the secretariat

 The Hospital Public Relation Officer shall be a permanent member of the

secretariat.

 Gantsi Hospital General meeting shall select six (6) personnel to take

positions of the President, Vice President, Secretary General, Treasurer

and two additional members.

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3.2 Roles of the Secretariat

i. Create and maintain standards within the organization

ii. Create, update and maintain Friends of Gantsi Hospital database.

iii. Establish and maintain identified and voluntary friends.

iv. Ensure high community interaction, participation and support

various activities conducted by Gantsi Hospital.

NB: Individual roles of the members and leaders shall be defined by secretariat.

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8.0 ACTIVITY PLAN

Step Activity

Introduce the concept to Gantsi hospital administration and staffs

1.

2. Introduce the concept to Gantsi Community through one to one interactive

discussion and invitation letters.

3. Meeting with all identified friends (stakeholder)

4. Establish Annual Calendar of activities

5. Conduct first Friends of Gantsi Activity e.g. sponsored walk, fundraising

dinner,

6 Evaluation of Activities.

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Annex I.

Leadership profile;

Dr. George Simwanza - Guardian

Dr Barnabas A Mbogo – Founder / President

Ms. Keitsabile M – Vice President

Mr. AllTalent Murahwa – Secretary General

Mr. Atta Teffo Mosiami – Tressurer

Ms. Boikobo Hengari – Public Relation Officer

Ms. Seipone Tinny – Member

Mr. Mangoye Oteng – Member

Two members from the Gantsi community.

friend of gantsi primary hospital friends for life_July2009