Botswana News

After an inspiring and impactful career spanning 25 years, Dodoli Wilfred, a long-serving and highly respected WHO professional, has officially retired from the World Health Organization. On 29th April 2025, Dodoli marked his final day with the organization, closing a remarkable chapter defined by dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to public health. At the time of his retirement, he was based at the WHO Country Office in Botswana, where he served in a key Programme Management role.

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.

In an expression of strengthened partnership and renewed commitment to multilateralism, the WHO Botswana Country Office recently hosted two high-level courtesy calls from newly appointed UN leaders, Ms. Wenyan Yang, the UN Resident Coordinator in Botswana, and Ms. Nthisana Motsete-Phillips, Botswana’s incoming Permanent Representative to Switzerland and the United Nations in Geneva.

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.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Botswana, Dr Fabian Ndenzako, held a high-level debriefing session with the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise, to discuss Botswana’s preparations for the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA). The meeting comes shortly after the launch of Botswana’s National Health Insurance scheme, signaling the country’s commitment to strengthening its health 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.”

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.”

Botswana commemorated African Vaccination Week (AVW) from 24th to 30th April 2025 under the regional theme, “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.” The weeklong campaign aimed to promote equitable access to immunization and integrate other high-impact child health interventions. In Tsabong District, the AVW activities served not only as an opportunity to provide health services but also to reach some of the district’s most remote and underserved populations.

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.