29 Jul 2015

Non-communicable diseases are increasingly becoming a challenge to developing countries, including Botswana, says Minister of Health, Ms Dorcus Makgato.

Speaking at the first training workshop and symposium for health professionals organised by the University of Botswana and Medicines Utilisation Research in Africa Group (MURIA) on Monday July 27, Minister Makgato also noted that non-communicable diseases came at a cost, and that it was important that medicines for such diseases were effectively utilised.

The workshop, she said, would equip participants with knowledge and skills to conduct research, including evaluating and auditing medicine utilisation.

The minister said information sharing across countries, regions and continents was vital in patient care.

She urged all participants to become change agents and to advise their ministries and governments on the rational use of medicines including cost effectiveness.

University of Botswana representative, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said the conference was organised by the medicine faculty and MURIA and was official inaugurated at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.

Prof. Totolo said because Botswana was the first country in Africa to provide its citizens with anti-retroviral drugs at no costs, the symposium would help in information sharing with those from outside Africa on drug utilisation research including methodological frameworks.

The three-day workshop, which ended on Tuesday July 28, also discussed antibiotics use, misuse and resistance, anti-retroviral medicines, mental health as well as hypertensive medicines. BOPA