Despite repeated inspections and promises of corrective measures at Princess Marina Referral Hospital, recurring reports of poor conditions suggest ongoing government neglect
BONGANI MALUNGA
President Duma Boko’s impromptu visit to Princess Marina Hospital on Monday laid bare the deplorable conditions under which the public medical facility is operating, confirming long-standing concerns raised by patients and health workers.
The visit exposed severe overcrowding, staff shortages and a lack of essential medicines, reinforcing public claims that the health system is under strain.
The revelations have also contradicted earlier government assurances that the situation was under control, effectively validating what officials had previously dismissed as exaggerated or conspiratorial claims about a collapsing health system.
REALITY
Following his visit on Monday, Boko took to social media to state that; “I chose to come without prior notice because I wanted to see the reality as it truly is, unfiltered, unprepared, and honest. What I found deeply saddened and disturbed me. I witnessed first-hand the difficult environment in which patients are treated, the severe shortage of critical resources, and the strain placed on our dedicated health workers.”
AFFECTING PERFORMANCE
“These conditions inevitably affect performance and undermine public confidence in a facility that should be a place of healing, dignity, and hope. No Motswana should receive care in such circumstances. No doctor or nurse should be forced to save lives without the basic tools required to do so.
As President, I could not walk away. Immediate action has already been initiated for the acquisition of emergency equipment and the most urgently needed life-support systems. These are not promises for tomorrow, they are steps being taken now,” Boko assured.
UNION RESPONSE
In an interview with this publication, Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) president Oreeditse Kelebakgosi said, “We acknowledge the President’s stated intention to improve the hospital and commend the attention his visit brings to urgent patient safety concerns.”
NOT A FIRST VISIT
“While BONU values this intervention, we emphasize that this is not the first time the Office of the Presidency has inspected Princess Marina Hospital. Repeated visits without rapid, visible improvements have left health workers and the public frustrated,” Kelebakgosi noted.
PROLONGED DELAY
“Equally troubling is the prolonged delay in commissioning the long-promised Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital to a public hospital, a facility that was presented to Batswana as the key relief valve for Princess Marina Hospital and a means to expand tertiary care capacity,” he asserted.
UNDERSTAFFING
“Chronic understaffing across wards and emergency units is compromising patient monitoring, timely interventions, and staff wellbeing. Deteriorating infrastructure and the absence of functioning life-support and emergency equipment further threaten patient safety and erode public confidence,” the union leader added.
“BONU urgently requests that the procurement and distribution of essential consumables, emergency drugs, and life-support equipment be fast-tracked to Princess Marina Hospital without delay. BONU also expect a clear, time-bound remediation plan with milestones and named responsible agencies so that the public and health workers can track progress,” BONU suggested.