25 Feb 2025

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government is working hard to improve the health sector to be cable to achieving quality healthcare for all.

Commenting on the budget speech on Monday, Parliament and Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise said the nation was also grappling with multi-faceted health challenges.

Therefore, the P8 billion earmarked for allocation to the health sector would not be enough, but would at least guide the proposed health plans to take off the ground. 

Dr Modise said his ministry’s plan was anchored on primary healthcare approach, which advocated disease prevention mode. 

As such, Dr Modise said members of the community must be encouraged to invest their energy on preventative measures.

He said the ministry’s strategies would be embedded in education. 

Dr Modise said it was important for the community to understand first aid, balance diet among others. He said it was important to focus more on educating people about changing their lifestyles.

Dr Modise appreciated social clubs for what they were doing in encouraging people to exercise, keeping fit. He said social clubs have full support of his ministry.

He was also concerned by backlog of people who were taking longer to get the necessary health attendance, falling short of all health standards. 

He said the new government was intending to better; attending 70 per cent of the waiting list of orthopaedics backlog. He said the target was to build a healthcare system for the benefit of all people.

Dr Modise said health was considered a human right and therefore UDC government was building a health service that will accessed anytime and anywhere. 

He said the National Healthcare would cover all and be able to be accessed by and at all health service providers.

He also said all the 24 hours health facilities must also have a drug dispensary working 24 hours. 

As such, Dr Modise said government was working on hiring pharmacy technicians and pharmacists to work at such facilities.

Dr Modise said  government was also working on achieving a malaria free Botswana, saying that it was within reach. 

On other issues, Dr Modise said government was determined to support farmers and businesses by buying their locals.

He said the budget was laying foundation of a new Botswana, that would work for all. Dr Modise  said the country faced a precarious situation, therefore Batswana wanted a government that would focus on solutions.

He  said the budget speech offered hope and interventions to simulate the economy going forward.

“We are worried that the economy may bleed and die, therefore focus is to stabilise the economy and move forward. We have not abandoned our promises and have every intention to deliver. We have not forgotten our promises,” said Dr Modise. ENDS