Botswana News

The newly appointed World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Botswana and SADC, Dr. Fabian Ndenzako, officially presented his credentials to the Ministry of International Relations today. In his remarks, Dr. Ndenzako expressed his deep honour in taking on the role and reaffirmed WHO’s unwavering commitment to supporting Botswana’s health sector.

Botswana continues to lead in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, taking a bold step forward with the finalization of its Integrated HIV Testing Services (HTS) Guidelines. This development was marked by a high-level workshop held in Gaborone, bringing together key stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and development partners.

The Botswana National AIDS & Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, concluded a weeklong series of nationwide consultative forums in February aimed at gathering input for the development of the country’s fourth HIV/AIDS National Strategic Framework (NSF4). These district-level forums were designed to ensure inclusive engagement and collect insights to guide Botswana’s HIV response through 2030.

Data from the Botswana STEP Survey of 2014 reveals a concerning reality: 50.7% of adult females in Botswana have never been screened for cervical cancer. This staggering statistic highlights a pressing public health challenge and underscores the urgent need to prioritize regular screening and early detection efforts, especially for women. Speaking during the World Cancer Day commemoration held in Takatokwane, WHO Botswana Officer in Charge, Dr.

International Women’s Day is an important occasion for reflecting on the progress made toward gender equality, celebrating the achievements of women, and recognizing the challenges that still remain. This year’s theme, "For All Women and Girls- Rights, Equality, Empowerment," serves as a reminder of both the strides women have made in various sectors and the barriers that persist. As Selelo aptly stated, "This day is not only a celebration of our achievements, but a reminder of the work still ahead of us to ensure true equality for all women and girls."

Botswana has reinforced its efforts to eradicate polio as part of the global initiative outlined in the 2022-2029 Global Polio Eradication Strategy. At a recent National Certification Committee (NCC) meeting, experts reviewed Botswana’s progress in combating both wild poliovirus (WPV) and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). The country has made notable advancements in surveillance and vaccination, with Dr.

In a move to enhance efficiency and streamline operations, WHO Botswana has upgraded its IT infrastructure with the implementation of the Business Management System (BMS). This transition replaces the outdated GSM-based system, which required staff to log in and out of multiple platforms to complete tasks. By centralizing essential services, BMS reduces inefficiencies, creating a seamless and integrated workflow.