The opening of the new and modern Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse shows the quantum leaps that Botswana has achieved since independence, says President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique.
Officially opening the hospital on July 6 2010, President Guebuza commended Botswana for the great achievements recorded in the social and economic domains.
"The fact that a provision has been made for the hospital to not only meet the health needs of Batswana, but also to train medical students and other personnel clearly reflects the vision of the government of Botswana to address both challenges posed by the mental health today and those that are to come with future needs," he said.
President Guebuza, who was on a two-day state visit, said Mozambique also stands to benefit from the multimillion pula facility.
He added that the opening of the hospital is a pretext for the two countries to bow to their common glorious past of solidarity.
"Today, new challenges emerge in the horizon, our priorities hover around the urgency of tackling poverty which in its multifaceted forms, still affects the majority of our people," said Mr Guebuza.
He also noted that as a building bloc to continental integration, Botswana's and Mozambique's economies are complementary and are "induced to greater cooperation under the auspices of the healthy institutional arrangement called SADC, conceived by our visionary founding fathers."
He said he is optimistic that his visit, and the interaction between different entities in the public and private spheres, will further develop the strong bonds of cooperation and enhance trade between the two countries.
President Guebuza also expressed admiration for the solidarity and support Botswana had extended to the people of Mozambique during their trying times.
For his part, Hon. Rev. Dr. John G.N. Seakgosing; Minister of Health, implored the Lobatse community to support and offer assistance to the leadership and staff of the hospital and enable it to perform its noble healing functions without hindrance.
“On the same note I may call upon you to work hard against any form of stigma that may be attached to all psychiatric illnesses. There have been incidence reports of unfounded discrimination and acts of taking unwarranted advantage of suspected psychiatric patients. I therefore urge you not to discriminate against these patients as their care is more in your hands than they can offer themselves because of their impaired mental faculties”, he said.
Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital is named after Psychiatrist Dr Giuseppe Sbrana from Italy, who worked at the then Lobatse Mental Hospital from 1069-1978.
This multi million pula facility is the country’s only Mental Referral Hospital and its history dates back to 1938. The hospital started as an observation centre for mentally ill prisoners and later as an observation wing for mentally ill patients from Athlone Hospital in Lobatse. Today the 300 bed capacity hospital boasts of services ranging from psychiatry, psychology, social work occupational therapy to dietetics.