24 Nov 2024

With the healthcare sector experiencing rapid changes, it is important to collaborate to support and facilitate efforts geared towards helping Botswana achieve universal health coverage and offer quality health care service to Batswana.

Speaking in a joint scientific conference of the Pharmaceutical society of Botswana and medical practitioners group in Gaborone on Thursday, Medical Practitioners president, Dr Refilwe Mothibamele, said it was through collaboration and innovation in the healthcare sector that they would be able to shape a system that was deeply rooted in the values of equity, accessibility and quality.

Dr Mothibamele said rapid changes driven by technological advancements, evolving patient needs and an increasing focus on sustainable and equitable healthcare delivery provide unprecedented opportunities that challenged all people to think critically and creatively on transforming healthcare in Botswana to meet the demands of the future. 

She said it was important that the two collaborate to focus on critical areas that were essential for the future of healthcare from ‘digital health and telemedicine to pharmacology and drug development, from healthcare policy and management to patient-centred care and healthcare delivery models’.

She also said they would explore public health and preventive medicine, innovation in medical and pharmacy training and the growing field of lifestyle medicine, which were fundamental to ensuring that the healthcare system evolves in ways that were inclusive, efficient, and responsive to the needs of every citizen.

The conference was held under the theme; Transforming the Healthcare Industry for the Future, of which, she said was a testament to commitment to advancing healthcare in Botswana.

Dr Mothibamele said the discussions on health and medicines information were vital in equipping with the knowledge to make informed decisions, create policies that drive positive change, and ultimately improve health outcomes for the people of Botswana.

She also highlighted the importance of continuing medical education sessions, which would provide further learning opportunities to advancing healthcare in Botswana. Ends