Botswana News

The Botswana National AIDS & Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, concluded a weeklong series of nationwide consultative forums in February aimed at gathering input for the development of the country’s fourth HIV/AIDS National Strategic Framework (NSF4). These district-level forums were designed to ensure inclusive engagement and collect insights to guide Botswana’s HIV response through 2030.

Data from the Botswana STEP Survey of 2014 reveals a concerning reality: 50.7% of adult females in Botswana have never been screened for cervical cancer. This staggering statistic highlights a pressing public health challenge and underscores the urgent need to prioritize regular screening and early detection efforts, especially for women. Speaking during the World Cancer Day commemoration held in Takatokwane, WHO Botswana Officer in Charge, Dr.

International Women’s Day is an important occasion for reflecting on the progress made toward gender equality, celebrating the achievements of women, and recognizing the challenges that still remain. This year’s theme, "For All Women and Girls- Rights, Equality, Empowerment," serves as a reminder of both the strides women have made in various sectors and the barriers that persist. As Selelo aptly stated, "This day is not only a celebration of our achievements, but a reminder of the work still ahead of us to ensure true equality for all women and girls."

Botswana has reinforced its efforts to eradicate polio as part of the global initiative outlined in the 2022-2029 Global Polio Eradication Strategy. At a recent National Certification Committee (NCC) meeting, experts reviewed Botswana’s progress in combating both wild poliovirus (WPV) and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). The country has made notable advancements in surveillance and vaccination, with Dr.

In a move to enhance efficiency and streamline operations, WHO Botswana has upgraded its IT infrastructure with the implementation of the Business Management System (BMS). This transition replaces the outdated GSM-based system, which required staff to log in and out of multiple platforms to complete tasks. By centralizing essential services, BMS reduces inefficiencies, creating a seamless and integrated workflow.

There is nothing as intriguing as getting firsthand information and experiencing the inner workings of a vital facility. Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art HIV Testing Centre Lab, and I was truly impressed by what I saw. The lab’s advanced infrastructure and equipment are far beyond what I had imagined, offering a clear glimpse into the future of HIV drug resistance testing.

A total of 92 Health Promotion professionals from 27 districts and MoH headquarters have been trained on emergencies preparedness and response. The training was a result of findings from support visits to 12 districts to assess Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE) capacity and experiences during and after COVID-19. The training focused on preparedness, response and resilience particularly building the capacity of the community to anticipate, respond and build resilience for future shocks.

Botswana has been losing 400 people on average annually due to road crashes.  However, the trend has been going down since the enhancement and improved implementation of the safe systems approach in the last 3 years.  New roadworks now incorporates improved pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes to improve safety and promote active mobility. The enhancements enable people to walk or run safely away from traffic, which also contributes to prevention of obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases.

In early October, Ambassador John Nkengasong, US Global AIDS Coordinator, led the Global Health Security and Diplomacy team to Botswana. They met with development partners, including WHO, and held discussions with government and health partners to:
•    Review PEPFAR’s successes, challenges, and sustainability efforts.
•    Assess development partners’ strategies to close HIV gaps and promote integration.

The Government of Botswana conducted a Climate Change Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment in selected districts to identify high-risk areas and vulnerable populations affected by climate change. The objective was to strengthen the country’s health sector to effectively and efficiently respond to climate-related impacts.