Bokamoso Private Hospital receives the first in Botswana and in Africa, American College of Cardiology Heart Failure Accreditation
August 2024 – Bokamoso Private Hospital is proud to announce that it has been awarded a formal Heart Failure Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology – the first facility in Botswana and Africa to receive this recognition and the only hospital outside of the United States of America.
Bokamoso Private Hospital has been accreditation based on a rigorous evaluation of the hospital team’s ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing heart failure.
Heart disease accounts for many deaths in Botswana, in fact, cardiovascular disease accounts for over 18% of deaths in the country. Heart failure can be defined as when the heart is unable to pump blood through the body correctly. Heart failure risk factors include older age, being male, having a family history of heart failure, smoking, unhealthy diet, high blood pressure/hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, and poor dental health. Heart failure is often not recognized early and treated appropriately. Early identification and appropriate treatment of hypertension and heart failure according to the international best practice will reduce the mortality and morbidity related to Heart Failure in Botswana.
Hospitals receiving the heart failure accreditation from the ACC improve their clinical processes for the early assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for the heart failure patient. ACC heart failure accredited hospitals, after a year-long accreditation journey, attain proficiency in caring for their heart failure patients and provide valuable resources within the community, through awareness and education drives, to help manage the disease. By adopting the ACC heart failure accreditation standards and being committed to the implementation of process improvement methodologies, Bokamoso Private Hospital reduce variations of care, enhance the patient journey, reduce length of stay, decrease readmissions, and increase patient experience and satisfaction.
Lenmed CEO, Amil Devchand said “We are incredibly proud of Bokamoso Private Hospital in achieving this accolade, a testament to the incredible dedication of our cardiologists and clinical teams to saving lives and improving our patients’ quality of life. We are honoured to be the first hospital in Botswana and Africa to receive this accreditation and to continuing our mission to ensure the best possible outcomes for our communities”.
Dr Gontle Moleele, the hospital’s Superintendent reminded the public to check for symptoms of heart failure, “always seek immediate medical attention for any symptoms of heart failure which may include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness, swelling in the feet, legs and ankles, rapid or irregular heartbeat, reduced ability to exercise, wheezing and a cough that won’t go away.”
Dr Boitumelo Nkoane-Kelaeng, lead cardiologist on the team added:
“Our success in achieving the ACC accreditation is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of our entire team. Every individual in the system, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, porters, the hospital management, and the administration team, played a crucial role in this accomplishment. This united commitment has ultimately led to improved patient care and long-term benefits for those who come to our hospital with heart failure. We must always remember that our primary goal is to optimize care for better patient outcomes. I am personally proud to be part of this hardworking team that has achieved these significant goals”.
Bokamoso Private Hospital is an ultra-sophisticated and digitally integrated hospital in Gaborone, Botswana, boasting an extensive and leading adult and paediatric cardiac and cardiothoracic service offering. The hospital is part of the Lenmed Group of hospitals, and local Batswana funder Group Botswanan Public Officers’ Medical Aid Scheme (BPOMAS). Lenmed owns and manage 19 hospitals in South Africa, Botswana, Ghana and Mozambique. For more, visit Lenmed.
Should you require more information on community awareness or would like to schedule a talk at your facility, please call Joe van der Walt at 369-4137 or email [email protected]
Bokamoso Private Hospital Cardiology team:
Dr B. Nkoane-Kelaeng – Cardiologist
Prof K.S. Rao – Cardiologist
Dr O. Moedi – Cardiologist
About the American College of Cardiology:
The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Bokamoso Private Hospital access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including the treatment of heart failure.
The ACC envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journal, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit ACC.
