Botswana News

Francistown, Botswana - 4 December 2020: The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted an eight-day training of trainers (TOTs) workshop in Francistown on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) which targeted all the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) across the country. The training was supported through the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. The aim of the workshop was to prepare a team of Trainers to support the implementation of IPC practices.

Gaborone, Botswana - 27 November 2020: The Ministry of Health and Wellness with technical support of World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office conducted an Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response training to strengthen public health surveillance and response systems to COVID-19. The training was supported by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.

Gaborone, Botswana - 12 November 2020: The Seventy-second World Health Assembly designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife not only to honour the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, but also to recognize the daily contributions of nurses and midwives to the health and well-being of populations across the globe. Unfortunately, this noble gesture and celebration has been sadly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We however still want to appreciate them, even more, despite and because of COVID-19.

Gaborone, Botswana - 12 November 2020: The Minister of Health and Wellness (MOHW), Honourable Dr Edwin G. Dikoloti officially launched the National Integrated Community-Based Health Services (ICBHS) guideline. In his remarks, the Minister stated that it is in the interest of the MOHW to ensure that basic health services are accessible to all, which resonates well with the ministry's vision of a healthy and vibrant nation.

Gaborone, Botswana - 9 November 2020: The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) facilitated a two-day Country COVID-19 Intra-Action Review (IAR) workshop through technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office. The IAR workshop was financially supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as their contribution to COVID-19 response.

Gaborone, Botswana - 9 April 2020: Botswana’s parliamentarians were shocked this morning when the Minister of Health and Wellness announced to them that they will all be quarantined in Gaborone. This was after it emerged that one of the nurses providing screening services at parliament tested positive to COVID-19. According to the Minister, the results were received at 11pm last night.

Gaborone, Botswana - 02 April 2020: After recording 4 cases of COVID-19 including 1 (one) death, His Excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi declared a State of Public Emergency which curtails non-essential services and unnecessary movement. The State of Public Emergency starts at midnight on Thursday 2nd April 2020. His Excellency, the President, has also summoned an urgent sitting of parliament on COVID-19.

Gaborone, Botswana - 15 October 2019: The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, convened a two-day meeting of the African Advisory Committee on Health Research and Development where she welcomed new members and thanked those who served in the previous committee for accepting to join the committee. She requested a moment of silence in remembrance of the late Professor Bongani Mayosi who chaired the previous committee.

Gaborone, Botswana - 20 September 2019: The UN family in Botswana engaged in various activities that enriched celebration of the UN wellness day. The theme for the day was “A Healthy Body A Healthy Mind” with significant focus on Mental health, especially as it relates to the workplace. In her remarks at the event, Dr Namboze emphasized the importance of everybody contributing to ensure that the workplace is a happy, healthy and safe environment in line with WHO’s definitions of health and mental health.