15 minute read
Botswana Medical Aid Society (Bomaid)
CARING FOR BOTSWANA
Serving as the country’s companion for healthier, happier lives, the Botswana Medical Aid Society (Bomaid) is a leading private medical provider
Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Callam Waller
In Botswana, conditions are conducive to good health.
Known for its stability, the country’s warm, dry climate and lack of surface water means that Botswana benefits from a minimum amount of the tropical diseases that are so prevalent in other African countries.
That being said, as with many developing countries, Botswana’s healthcare systems are primarily designed to handle acute decisions and diseases. Since 1966, the country has been carried on an upward trajectory of rapid economic growth, with an attendant ageing population. With this improvement and Botswana’s steadily strengthening position as an upper middle-income country, the health sector has taken significant strides in the implementation of universal healthcare access for the majority of the population.
Nevertheless, the growing ageing population, combined with the threat of non-communicable and fatal intestinal and respiratory diseases continues to put further strain on the country’s healthcare services, alongside the threat of HIV/AIDS as an epidemic that still plagues Botswana today, despite boasting one of Africa’s most advanced treatment programmes.
The latest onslaught of the COVID19 pandemic has also further complicated the system, with a lack of resources and widespread significant disruption of services.
The country’s public health policy comprises basic health services in small primary care facilities dotted throughout villages with a population of over 500 people, alongside the two major national referral hospitals at Francistown and Gaborone. The system operates within a decentralised network of primary healthcare facilities. Turning to the private sector, Botswana hosts an increasing number of private medical clinics to coincide with the development of the urban upper class. This predominantly comprises specialists operating within private health businesses.
Enter the Botswana Medical Aid Society (Bomaid).
With a reputation as ‘the medical aid you can trust’, Bomaid is the private medical provider whose comprehensive services cover the livelihoods of our 85,000 Botswanans.
Designed to inspire confidence, Bomaid serve private, institutional, and individual customers with an extensive product range. The company is self-administered and operates as a fully accredited member of the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF).
As a non-profit organisation established in 1970, Bomaid was founded by a consortium that sourced its initial membership from audit firms, parastatals and Botswana’s banking sectors. These businesses gathered with the aim of pooling funds to assist their employees in defraying medical expenses.
After officially celebrating their 50th anniversary just last year, Bomaid represent Bostwana’s oldest private medical aid scheme. It is this longevity that attests to their success and esteemed reputation in the sector, combined with their prioritisation of both innovation, and excellence.
- BOMAID
Trust us to see right through you…
What does this mean exactly? In today’s modern world, technology is the way forward in many industries and no more is that true than in the medical industry. Within the medical industry, Radiology has been at the forefront of the technological revolution in medicine. The reason being, the more we can see right through you, the more we know what to do. We have all heard the word, diagnosis. Go to any General Practitioner, (GP) Physician, or Specialist Consultant – the first thing they do is reach for a referral document. They need to see right through you in order to diagnose, to eliminate the cause of your pain. For the reason you are visiting a medical practitioner is to understand the source of your pain.
These two actions will lead the Doctor to a closer diagnosis of your ailment. Which ultimately determines the course of action he/she will take to alleviate your pain and hopefully find a cure for your condition.
The importance of a good Radiology diagnosis depends on a number of aspects.
1. The right technician, (Radiographer) who has knowledge and expertise in carrying out the scan 2. An experienced and knowledgeable Radiologist (who is a doctor in radiology imaging) to interpret your scan and report its’ findings 3. Reliable machinery that is accurate in scanning and literally seeing what is the cause of your pain We at Village Imaging are EXPERTS in SEEING RIGHT THROUGH YOU. We are the only fully integrated and comprehensive Radiology practice, offering;
• MRI Scanning • CT Scanning • Ultrasound Scanning • X-Ray Scanning • Mammography (Women’s Breast Cancer Screening) • Bone Density (Scanning that determines how strong your bones are and your total body muscle mass) • Echocardiography (Heart Scanning)
Not only are we the experts, and have been in operation for over 13 years, we are trusted by over 200 referring Doctors who trust Village Imaging to see right through you.
We pride ourselves in our endeavor to ensure a 24 hour turnaround time on all radiology reporting, using technical assistance from expert Specialist Radiologists’ in India for second opinions where needed via Tele-radiology.
Our experienced team perform their duties with skill and exceptional bedside manner, ensuring the patient is informed at all stages of their scanning and made.
We operate from Village Medical Centre, located in the Village, Gaborone. We have adjunct services of a Cardiologist, Pathology, Physiotherapist, Pharmacy, General Practitioner, Naturopathic and Dentist.
Village Imaging is set in a leafy, residential part of Gaborone and easily accessible from all areas of the city. Being an in-community Radiology practice we can ensure a fast turn- around for patients which is vital during COVID-19 times where patients do not want to be in crowded spaces.
T + 267 391 2842 | E village.imaging921@gmail.com | www.villageimaging.health
CONNECT YOUR BUSINESS WITH SADC, AFRICA, AND THE WORLD VIA MRI BOTSWANA’S CONTACT CENTRE SOLUTIONS.
MRI Botswana is a leading provider of innovative, integrated healthcare services. Throughout a two decade plus tenure, the organization has grown into a leading provider of outsourced inbound and outbound Contact Centre services in the private , public, and nongovernmental sectors across the region. Our highly skilled and dedicated agents leverage our scalable robust future fit multichannel platform connecting businesses to customers and stakeholders 24hours a day.
ENSURE THAT YOUR BUSINESS DOES NOT SLEEP.
BOMAID - HEALTH PLAN OPTIONS
• Comprehensive Health Plans - Health Plans A, B and C are tiered to offer three levels of medical aid cover. Health Plan
A is the entry-level option while
Health Plan C is the executive health plan option.
• International Student Health
Plan - The Bomaid International
Student Scheme (ISS) is a comprehensive student medical cover that guarantees access to medical care both locally and abroad. Available as an annual subscription to learners studying either locally or regionally, Bomaid’s ISS is the most convenient and affordable way to provide for student healthcare.
• Outpatient Health Plan -
A scheme that covers an extensive range of services.
COMPREHENSIVE, COMPETITIVE HEALTH COVERAGE
Bomaid leads with the mission to provide competitive and diverse health care solutions to its members. It achieves this through the implementation and offering of various health plans geared towards corporate or individual Bomaid clients, with customisation available to suit corporate requirements. These are divided into three categories; comprehensive, outpatient health plans, and plans suited specifically to international students. Comprehensive plans are tiered to cover three levels of medical services, ranging from entry level to executive, beginning with basic affordable health options for outpatients.
Meanwhile, Bomaid’s international student health plan, known as the Bomaid International Student Scheme (ISS), is a comprehensive student medical cover that guarantees access to medical care both locally and abroad. Available as an annual subscription to learners studying either locally or regionally, this plan represents the most convenient and affordable way to provide for student healthcare.
Lastly, the outpatient health plan is an extensive scheme that encompasses a full range of benefits as standard. This ranges from consultations and dental work to traditional healing and funeral benefits, with a whole host of others in between.
Outside of the framework of these plans, Bomaid also cover out of hospital, in hospital benefits, dread disease benefit, managed care, and value-added benefit. To deliver this extensive coverage, Bomaid relies on a varied and comprehensive network of service providers across Botswana.
MRI Botswana (MRIB) is a leading provider of integrated, innovative healthcare services and related healthcare solutions in Botswana. MRIB has been in existence for 30 years (circa 1991) with the sole mission of saving lives and delivering unparalleled care to those in need in Botswana and beyond. We pride ourselves in helping those in need when seconds count with the highest level of customer care; and we dispatch our services with the utmost integrity.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic MRIB sprang into action with the launch of innovative products and services assisting thousands in need via COVID-19 screening (first to market with rapid antigen testing), treatment (in clinics and at home) and transporting patients in dire need of hospitalization, in country and beyond the border (South Africa).
In 2021 MRIB entered into an international partnership with a media production house. During the shoot of a well-known, American TV series in Botswana’s famous Okavango Delta, MRIB’s Emergency Medical Services was outsourced to provide medical concierge services to onsite production crews in the filming of two (2) episodes. Due to the extreme environments in which the production was made, MRI Botswana deployed two of its seasoned medical doctors to provide health services in the form of Advanced Life Support, general healthcare services as well as COVID-19 screening services which was and remains crucial during this pandemic. In addition, a fully equipped 4X4 (all-wheel drive) bush ambulance and provision of air evacuation service were on stand for the duration of the shoot in case of emergencies.
In the same year the organization signed a partnership with Botswana’s leading Insurance group Botswana Life Insurance Limited (BLIL) to deliver Emergency Medical Services through a product rider called Thuso 992. Thuso 992 avails the provision of emergency medical services by MRIB, from the scene of a medical emergency to the nearest health facility. This product is intended to provide ordinary Batswana / residents and families access to medical emergency, evacuation and rescue service throughout Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.
Beyond the Emergency Medical Services, MRI Botswana has through the years positioned itself as an international brand through its 24hours Contact Centre Business, with an ability to provide services beyond SADC and Africa ensuring that businesses stay connected with the world.
In responding to business needs, MRI Botswana has been instrumental in providing emergency solutions and On-site Clinics to private businesses setting up in Botswana from mining companies, explorations, and high scale industries. We offer customized services that benefit work locations and operations. MRIB is able to support specific medical needs to remote work camps, rural locations and more through a single source.
Returning to the importance of innovation at Bomaid, in 2021, the company reviewed the benefit enhancements of their schemes to ensure alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on health and wellness. These revisions included expanding access to essential medicines and vaccines, by extending the flu vaccine to all Bomaid members and providing Vitamin B and calcium supplements to members aged 50 and above who are on chronic medication. Amendments and improvements were also made within access to reproductive healthcare services, combatting HIV/ AIDS and TB, reducing mortality rates from non-communicable diseases and new-born and child mortality.
As evidenced by the health plans tailored to cater to this exact demographic, Bomaid place a huge amount of value on education and have recently launched a graduate training programme with postgraduates to develop their skills. This is in a bid to combat the talent and skill shortages that face Botswana’s
VALUE ADDED BENEFITS
Bomaid’s value added benefits cover the following areas:
• Personal accident disability cover
• Severe illness
• Screening and prevention
• Emergency medical services (EMS)
• Bombay maternity programme
• Premium waiver
• Funeral benefit health sector that are particularly prevalent within both clinical skills and administration.
NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC
As with any healthcare provider across the globe, COVID-19 presented a significantly disruptive hurdle, amplified by the fact that
Living Water Pharmacy is a community pharmacy with highly experienced pharmacists that have worked for over 15 years. The staff in the pharmacy is very hospitable. They are highly welcoming and very understanding. We work beyond the call of duty to serve the best interests of our valued customers. This may mean working outside of office hours in the case of an emergency. Our patients should always hold us to the highest standard of service.
Winston Mbewe
Shop 5 Grand Lodge Complex, Ftown Tel: (+267) 2419444 Cell: (+267) 71686846 / 72661520 Email: mwenya0505@gmail.com
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the company had just installed a new operating system before the pandemic struck.
Extending its level of care to its clients in the face of such difficult times, Bomaid ensured that all its members were covered if they contracted COVID-19, regardless of their level of health plan coverage. This made Bomaid the first medical aid provider in Botswana to do this. Bomaid’s proactive response was further aided by a two-million-pula COVID-19 fund contributed by the government of Botswana.
Priding itself on providing Botswana’s best COVID-19 cover, Bomaid’s 360 degree ‘CovidCare’ solution supports members from the initial covid testing through to hospitalisation, home-based solutions, and supplements, and onwards to aftercare with psychosocial counselling. Indeed, Bomaid promote a significant focus on the importance of mental health and have regularly shared information throughout the pandemic as to how to keep depression at bay by keeping active and mixing up the daily routine.
The provider also continues to play a critical role in the dissemination of information, sharing a COVID-19 home care solution guide to keep members up to speed with how best to manage the virus whilst designated facilities were at full capacity. Adapting its offering to provide 100 percent ‘Covid cover’, Bomaid offer complete coverage with COVID-19 rapid testing services comprising four tests per member per annum.
Internally, the company adapted operations with staff taking to remote-working and all engagements being conducted over Zoom. To support working from home, the company also launched the Bomaid Web Portal to allow members to manage their profiles and membership online with self-service.
Right Move Dental Clinic
We at Right Move Dental Clinic believe that sustainable Dental health solotions should be available at all times especially in challenging times in this era of Covid 19.
So just in the same manner as our valued and long time partner Bomaid we did not fold our arms ,rather we pulled all our meagre resources to stay put despite the current challenging economic environment. We are adhering to strict lockdown.
Covid 19 protocols to ensure safety and comfort of our customers.Our Bussiness hours stays the same as reflected below:Happy 50th Birthday to BOMAID, we wish them sustained growth in these challenging times.
Rightmove Dental Clinic
Your smile, our smile
A PROMISING FUTURE
Officially voted as Botswana’s ‘Best Medical Aid’ under the PMR Diamond Arrow Award 2021, Bomaid continue to uphold a reputation as industry leaders in excellence even fifty years since inception. Indeed, the company’s CEO, Mr. Moraki Mokgosana, was also awarded the Business Excellence Award from PMR Africa on behalf of his work at Bomaid.
The award explicitly recognises Bomaid’s sustainable business practices, management expertise, corporate governance, innovation and brand awareness. The company was also acknowledged for the wider role that it plays within Botswana’s economic growth whilst consistently providing an excellent level of service to its members.
With the notion of sustainability at the fore, in the face of the universal need for quality, affordable healthcare, Bomaid is assured a longrunning future in caring for Botswana.
Rightmove dental clinic; Gaborone has a mandate of serving all individuals, families and companies with the finest dental services in order to provide them with a good smile. The clinic is housed in Always Open Clinic, KB Mall, Unit 26, G-West industrial, opposite Shell filling station by the Bus rank. Our Services
Consultation Extraction (Tooth Removal) Scale and Polish (Teeth Cleaning) Restoration (Tooth Filling) Prosthetics (Teeth replacement) Minor Surgical Procedures Teeth Whitening
Before
After
Open 24hrs a week Including Weekends & Public Holidays Mon 8am - 8pm Tue - Fri 8am - 10pm Sat - Sun 8am - 5pm Public Holidays 8am - 5pm CONTACT US Cell 1: (+267) 72 214 295 Cell 2: (+267) 7217 6119 Cell 3: (+267) 76 495 025 google@rightmovedentalclinic Email: neomohutsiwa@yahoo.co.uk Rightmove
Dental Clinic
Your smile, our smile
Right Move Dental Clinic Botswana Located in
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