Botswana News

In a continued effort to reduce the burden of cervical cancer, the Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other key partners has launched a national training initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of both doctors and nurses in the screening and treatment of pre-cancerous cervical lesions.

Africa CDC Regional Director Dr. Lul Riek and his team recently paid a courtesy call to the WHO Botswana Country Office to explore areas of collaboration and discuss key priorities in Botswana’s health system. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) and enhancing coordination in public health responses across the continent.

Botswana joined the global community in commemorating World Food Safety Day 2025, with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) calling for urgent action to strengthen food safety systems, guided by science and coordinated regulation.

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.

The Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee held a pivotal meeting from 19 to 22 May 2025 at Cresta Botsalo Hotel in Palapye. The session brought together 16 committee members alongside representatives from the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The gathering focused on refresher training, onboarding new members, and conducting causality assessments of AEFI cases reported in 2024/2025.

Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) joined the global health community in commemorating World Hand Hygiene Day, underscoring the importance of hand hygiene in saving lives and preventing infections in healthcare settings. The event, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), brought together health professionals, administrators, and the public under the banner of this year’s theme: “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene.”

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.

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. 

This week, Botswana joins the rest of the world in launching the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week under the theme “Streets for Life: #MakingWalkingAndCyclingSafe.”