Emergency Assist 991 strategy off to a good start
Emergency Assist 991, the leading emergency assistance company is upbeat it will meet targets that fall within its ambitious 2022-2027 strategy, despite market hurdles and competition which characterises the market.
Speaking to Botswana Guardian recently, Chief Executive Officer, Chiseki Chiseki said, under the strategy, they have already put in place some mobile clinics which target mining companies (exploration) and far-flung areas. These mobile clinics are fully equipped with various health services' personnel such as nurses and specialists.
“The uptake (for this mobile clinic), has been slow. However, we will continue to market the it across the country as we feel this is what the industry needs going forward,” said Chiseki. While the company is pushing mobile clinics, side by side, they are preparing, after a careful assessment, to open about two clinics around the country. “We are targeting areas such as Gaborone and Kasane,” disclosed Chiseki.
Emergency Assist 991 has already lodged an application with the relevant authorities before taking a giant step of establishing these facilities. The clinics will be full equipment with medical personnel, operating 24 hours.
Apart from setting up clinics, the goal of the company, which is headquartered in Gaborone, is to open first of its kind hospital in the country, replete with top notch medical services, equipment, and personnel.
Emergency Assist 991, understands to establish a hospital costs an arm and a leg. This explains why, at the opportune time, the company will look for strategic partners to work with in this venture. The other strategic plan, that is under Emergency Assist 991 sleeve, is to start offering occupational health services to mines.
“It’s a niche market,” said the buoyant Chiseki, adding they have the capacity to offer the services, compared to their peers. The plan by the company to start offering the above services, comes at a time when Botswana is experiencing a rise in the number of companies in the exploration and mining landscape. A new copper mine has been set up in Gantsi and another one is being developed by Jindal Botswana in the Central district. In a bid to diversify its revenue stream, Emergency Assist 991, which celebrates 21 years this year, wants to unlock more value from its Call Centre services.
Some of the services, which the company plan to introduce in future are online counselling and surveys. Plans are underway for the company to launch a first of its kind partnership with local driving schools’ operators, through their well-known Driver Training Academy. According to Chiseki, the company will partner with these schools to offer services to their (Emergency Assist 991) current clientele under the franchisee model. “This will go a long way in empowering these driving schools especially when it comes to modernising them (driving schools),” stated Chiseki. The company plans to have launched its first franchisee before 2024.
Emergency Assist 991 has a dedicated school of emergency and critical care. Under this centre, the company plans to start offering first aid and fire fighting short courses. The school’s courses, are accredited by Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). As a big player in the sector, the company’s long-term plan is to list on the Botswana Stock Exchange. This will afford Batswana a chance to buy shares in the company as well as having (Emergency Assist 991) an opportunity to raise capital in the debt market.
Emergency Assist 991, just like other players, is preparing for government’s eventual plans of fully privatising the emergency medical services next year.
“We have a strong feeling, that once this is done, it will improve efficiency and cut costs within government’s emergency medical services system,” said Chiseki.
Earlier this year, Assistant Minister of Health, Sethomo Lelatisitswe told parliament that while the ministry was considering outsourcing ambulance services in the near future, they are currently developing a national trauma and emergency management system, which would be completed by March 2025.
He highlighted that potential benefits and advantages associated with privatising ambulances were not limited to creating employment and empowering citizens only, but were to support a private sector led economy, improve efficiency, strengthen partnerships between government and private sector, and reduce the burden of maintenance and repair of ambulances by the ministry.
Lelatisitswe noted that the privatisation of ambulances could also create challenges such as coordination of services, quality assurance as well as increased cost of services, hence the need to develop a comprehensive national plan first.