Caring Sai society wins praise

[Guest guest]

Caring Sai society wins praise

08 November, 2005

 

GABORONE - Provision of free medical treatment to poor members of

society irrespective of race, religion, colour and gender is a noble

gesture, says health minister Professor Sheila Tlou.

 

Opening a Free Medical Clinic in Block 6, Tlou said the Sathya Sai

society had chosen a noble way of giving back to the community since

the nation was in the middle of a major HIV/AIDS epidemic.

 

In addition, she said, health services were under strain and the

community burdened with challenges of coping with the enormous social

impact of HIV/AIDS.

 

She told the audience that Sai Clinic objectives were in line with

Vision 2016s pillar of Botswana becoming a caring and compassionate

nation.

 

I have no doubt, therefore, that if you hold true to the objectives

of your organisation, and continue to provide free medical treatment

to the needy without any form of discrimination, you will be

contributing to the type of nation we wish to build.

 

Tlou said she was impressed to learn that Sathya Sai organisation

encouraged people to follow and respect their respective religions,

and to be patriotic and respect the laws of the countries in which

they lived.

 

This building of tolerance among and between people is also in

keeping with the national vision, an important ingredient for the

building of societies, and, indeed, the building of nations.

 

For his part, the chairman for the board of trustees, Venkata

Nanduri, said they had received contributions from Sai devotees to

build the clinic.

 

Nanduri told the audience that medical doctors and general

practitioners, who were Sai devotees, had expressed their willingness

to render free consulting services on Sundays between 0930hrs and

1230hrs.

 

He said a clinic service coordinator in consultation with the

participating doctors and non-medical support volunteers would

supervise the clinics operations.

 

In this medical centre, he said, volunteer doctors would render

consultation services, offering medical advice as well as

prescriptions.

 

However, he said, the clinic did not have facilities for dreaded

diseases, accidents, emergencies and medical fitness certification or

reports.

 

Sathya Sai Centre was established in Botswana in 1999 and has since

then been able to conduct several community outreach programmes.

BOPA