Ministry of Health needs bold decision makers
From clinical clerical worker to hospital superintendent My journey was one of grace and divine favour - Dr. Kgetsi
The Ministry of Health needs bold people who are not afraid to deal with challenges. Newly- appointed Superintendent of Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital ( NRH), Dr. Ivan Moses Kgetsi who started work Monday this week told Botswana Guardian in an interview.
Although the situation is gradually improving with medicine consignments arriving in the country, Botswana last year faced the worst medical and drugs shortage in her history.
Until this week, Kgetsi has been the Coordinator of the Greater Francistown District Medical Health Team ( DMHT). He was among those roped in by Minister Dr. Edwin Dikoloti in his recent press conference to update the nation on how the Ministry is tackling the shortages.
Kgetsi started at NRH as a clinical clerical worker, went through rigorous training which took him to Prague, Czech Republic where he graduated with Masters in General medicine.
On return he worked as an intern medical doctor. This week, he ascended to the position of hospital superintendent. Kgetsi said the MoH needs people who act promptly and ensure that no stone is left unturned until clients receive the best health service that they deserve. “I believe we must use the approach that says I am doing this for me before we think about people out there. This is so because if my service is good enough for me then, I will be proud to do it for anyone out there. This is the perception I wish to build
in NRH,” he says. As a superintendent, his duties include, chairing and attending facility advisory committee and senior management meetings; Coordinating provision of medical, allied and nursing services in the hospital; Providing leadership in patient care services; Reviewing medico- legal issues and liaising with Deputy Permanent Secretary- Health Services Management for further development, among others.
He is also national spokesperson for DHMTs and Hospitals, and Member of the Bi- National Commission technical working groups – Botswana Zimbabwe.
Ironically, when growing up, the Mmathubudukwane native never thought that he would become a medical doctor, instead he harboured ambitions of being a computer engineer as he loved technology and saw it as the future. He was inspired by billionaire Bill Gates and other celebrity computer gurus of the day who were rich and successful. “I wanted to be like them. God did not want me to take that route. I went to University of Botswana ( UB) to do BSc part one. It was during this time that I was led to the path I took.
“Despite being a good student my grades somehow went down and did not allow me to qualify for computer engineering which was done abroad and the field was highly competitive.
“At the same time, my mother who was studying at UB at the time saw an advert for clinical clerkship and she recommended that I try it even if I did not want to be a doctor. I applied and they took me to NRH.
“The incentive being that I had free accommodation with a family friend and an allowance from UB. That planted a desire to be a doctor as the time I spent observing doctors going about their business made me realise I was meant for this.”
Kgetsi says following his study in Prague in the Czech Republic, he devoted his time to understand the healthcare system. He then exploited every opportunity to understand the local health system and discussed how to improve it.
“Dr. Sinvula who was our hospital superintendent gave me a chance to develop this. He gave me opportunities to lead and challenge myself in this field. I am forever grateful for the opportunity,” he says.
In 2011 he was transferred to the Greater Francistown DHMT where he worked hard to identify and solve emerging problems. This gave him a chance to be head of preventative services which started him on a path to understand primary health care and extension work. “I developed a passion to work with community structures and leaders. I feel more at home doing this. Understanding what drives health challenges at community level and how to address them.” He got transferred to Tutume DHMT where he served as Head of Preventative Services and later DHMT head in 2016. He has been a DHMT Coordinator for both Tutume and Greater Francistown until end of 2022 when he was appointed Hospital Superintendent for NRH.
“My journey was one of grace and divine favour. I learnt that progression in the public sector or any organisation is about being a part of the solution,” he says, adding that he worked hard to develop his soft skills through short courses and trainings to ensure that he became a better leader and manager.