Following the first port health stakeholders meeting which was held on the 23rd of September 2021 in Gaborone, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office hosted a 5-day Port Health Strategic Plan development workshop which took place from the 4th to 8th of October 2021 in Lobatse.

The objectives of the workshop were to develop the Port Health Strategic Plan, the Implementation Plan, and the monitoring and evaluation framework. The strategy formulation process was guided by Dr Raphael John Marfo deployed through the WHO Regional Office for Africa. Since the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has been providing support to MoHW in all the pillars of the response strategy. The response strategy is organized around nine technical and operational response pillars plus a tenth main global research and innovation pillar.

Part of the efforts to support the Ministry was to develop, strengthen, and maintain the International Health Regulations (IHR) public health core capacity requirements at designated airports and ground crossings, related to prevention, early warning and response. Botswana conducted a Points of Entry assessment with WHO support in October 2020. This revealed the need to strengthen coordination, IHR core capacities at all times and IHR core capacities during Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEICs).

The Ministry continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic utilizing all pillars of the COVID‑19 preparedness and response, including the Points of Entry (POEs). POEs are an important pillar and International Health Regulations (IHR) public health core capacities at designated airports and ground crossings are critical to the response.

Mr John Moloi, representing the Greater Lobatse District Health Management Team (DHMT) at the workshop, indicated that this would not be a one-time event but rather a process that will require a series of meetings to develop this very important document for Botswana. “This strategic framework will bring us together as key stakeholders to respond to future health emergencies”, he added.

The workshop was attended by key stakeholders including Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS), Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), port health officers, Botswana Police service as well as environmental health officers. Participants at the workshop engaged in plenary presentations and interactive group discussions developing strategic objectives to guide the strategy formulation following the guidance and support of Dr Marfo.

Ms Nametso Mosweu, a nurse at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport Emergency Clinic expressed that, “This workshop has been an eye-opener to us especially on the containment of the exported diseases in the country”.

On behalf of the WHO Country Office, Dr Violet Mathenge stated that Botswana had conducted the Joint External Evaluation in 2017, an Intra Action review as well as an assessment of POEs capacities in 2020. All of these assessments pointed towards the need to strengthen coordination and communication, preparedness, and emergency response operations as key areas. Dr Mathenge also indicated that the collaboration of various stakeholders is critical towards this achievement and encouraged continued cooperation towards a successful process.