Sai In Media: 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 Online Source:

http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20051108&i=Caring_Sai_society_wins_praise