President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko has called for the old Sekgoma Memorial Hospital Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre in Serowe to be fully operational by November 2025. The directive was communicated by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ms Matilda Basinyi, during a tour of the facility. The Chief Health Officer for the Alcohol and Substance Division, Mr Phenyo Sebonego, highlighted that delays in completing the project are depriving the public of essential rehabilitation services.
A director in the Office of the President, Ms Moratwe Galeboe, stressed the need for teamwork to achieve the project’s objectives. She noted that the President expects tangible results rather than empty promises.
The project, which began on April 29, 2021, is behind schedule. The Rehabilitation Centre occupies the old Institute of Health Sciences and includes several new buildings constructed from scratch. The initial completion date was set for May 2022. Three years later, the facility remains unfinished.
Mr Haushi Lii, Managing Director of Precon Construction, the company responsible for the project, explained that delays arose from incomplete design details at the start. This required designs to be created on-site. He also cited inconsistent cash flow, noting that submitted claims are rarely fully funded, slowing progress.
Despite the challenges, Mr Lii confirmed that parts of the project are progressing well. He pledged to complete the remaining work and hand over the facility by the end of September 2025, ensuring it is ready for operation by November.
The completion of the Sekgoma Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Centre is expected to provide critical support for individuals struggling with drug and alcohol dependence, strengthening Botswana’s public health infrastructure and reinforcing the government’s commitment to community well-being.
