14 Sep 2024

The Ministry of Health is currently working on the revitalisation of primary healthcare to achieve quality and sustainable universal healthcare coverage that aligns well with national priorities.

Speaking on behalf of the minister at the 9th Botswana Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare Conference in Gaborone on Thursday, the secretary for Primary Healthcare, Dr Mareko Ramotsababa, pointed out that they just started a digitalisation project that will see services automated for better patient outcomes.

Dr Ramotsababa said Botswana was encouraged in the digitalisation journey by the significant impact it has had on patient outcomes globally. He explained that digital healthcare offers a wide range of possibilities and opportunities that help improve the quality of patient care.

He further noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the health sector that technology was the way to go, and therefore, should leverage on the technological advances and innovations that came about during COVID-19 and after. The conference, held under the theme, “Primary Healthcare System Strengthening in the Digital Era: Reshaping the Future of Primary Healthcare,”

Dr Ramotsababa said it underscores the importance of a primary healthcare approach to any health system. He encouraged all to embrace the future of digital healthcare in primary healthcare, further urging primary healthcare providers to always work with other stakeholders and be at the forefront of digital transformation.

“This may have benefits for our healthcare system, which can include, among others, reduction in the workload of healthcare providers, cost reduction at both patient and government level and ease communication at all levels,” he said.

Meanwhile, he stated that it remains important to ensure that there was equity with no patient left behind when moving towards digital transformation.

“Patients who do not have phones or the internet, should still be catered for, to ensure universal healthcare coverage,” he said, and urged healthcare providers to always continue to acquire knowledge, advance their skills and maintain those through continuous professional development.

The three-day conference has gathered diverse relevant stakeholders including private, parastatals, and non-governmental organisations as well as attracted a diverse audience of local and international healthcare professionals, academics and industry representatives, to be more enriched on improving patient care as well as to come up with solutions that will benefit patients.