Botswana News

In response to a recent upsurge in malaria cases, the Ministry of Health in Botswana, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative, has launched an emergency response to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable communities.

President Duma Boko has acknowledged the urgent need to overhaul Botswana’s health systems, citing inefficiencies and delayed responsiveness that continue to cost lives. He was speaking during a high-level engagement with Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, former WHO Regional Director for Africa, who was accompanied by the WHO Representative to Botswana, Dr. Fabian Ndenzako and other officers from the WHO country office.

Although World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is commemorated globally on 24 March, WHO Botswana extended the conversation into May with a staff awareness session aimed at reinforcing key messages around TB prevention and control. During the session, Boingotlo Ramontshonyana delivered a compelling address, urging colleagues to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing one of the country’s enduring public health challenges.

Recently, the WHO Botswana team led by the WHO Representative, Dr Fabian Ndenzako, paid a visit to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Laboratory in Gaborone. The purpose of the visit was to better understand the current operations, strengths, and challenges faced by NBTS, and to explore areas where WHO can offer technical support to strengthen the country’s blood transfusion system. 

As countries around the world observed World Health Day on April 7, 2025, Botswana used the moment to reflect on its maternal health journey and renew its commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The national commemoration, jointly hosted by WHO Botswana and the Ministry of Health, brought together government officials, health experts, development partners, and citizens under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.

On 28 April 2025, WHO Country Representative, Dr. Fabian Ndenzako, paid a courtesy visit to the University of Botswana School of Nursing, a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) for Nursing and Midwifery Development since 1990. He was accompanied by Dr. Juliet Bataringaya, Health Systems Advisor, and Ms. Boingotlo Ramontshonyana, Focal Point for District Health System Strengthening.

Advancing public health today requires more than technical expertise, it demands strong, coordinated partnerships. WHO Botswana is leading by example, prioritizing strategic collaborations that align with national priorities and deliver lasting health impact.

On the 14th of March 2025, Botswana joined the rest of the region in commemorating SADC Healthy Lifestyles Day in Goodhope under the theme: “Risk factors of today are diseases of tomorrow.”