05 Nov 2015

The government has always been committed to ensuring that citizens receive quality health care services wherever they are, the Minister of Health, Ms Dorcus Makgato, has said.

“Our commitment is proven by our impressive track record of good governance and economic growth, which also facilitated growth and development in the health sector,” she added.

Ms Makgato said this when officiating at the inaugural Botswana International Nursing Conference (BINC 2015) themed: Efficient and effective nursing through evidence based practice: A key to improved customer care, on Wednesday.

Over the years, the minister said the government had steadily increased its budget allocation to health which facilitated the expansion of health infrastructure, training of health personnel and provision of quality health services.

“We have built clinics, primary hospitals, health posts, district and referral hospitals all over the country to ensure easy access to health care,” she said.

As a nation, she said Botswana remained absolute in its commitment to getting zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths. For that reason, she encouraged health care workers to also embrace technology, foster inter-professional collaboration and develop leadership skills.

The conference theme, Ms Makgato said, was appropriate as the world was going the direction of evidence-based and informed nursing practice. Through research, she said the health sector could be able to ensure quality services and improve patients health status.

In his welcome remarks, BONU president, Mr Tebogo Tshenyego said the conference theme was well formulated as it demanded all health care givers to introspect and see whether they had been giving their customers the best service over the years.  

Mr Tshenyego expressed concern that most nurses and midwives had abandoned research as they believed it was the preserve of academics. “The clinical area of healthcare offers immense opportunities for research, aimed at seeking solutions to outstanding problems.” 

To gather evidence that would inform and improve patient care, the BONU president said it was crucial that nurses and midwives elevated their programmes and processes.

“This country needs research nurses who will not only establish themselves as brands, but also put the country on the international map,” he added.

He also challenged all academics in Botswana to become actively involved in finding solutions to the problems besieging the nursing and midwifery cadres.

In her remarks, BONU secretary general and chief executive officer, Ms Ruth Mokgethi said in recognition of the dual roles that BONU serves, of advocating for nurses’ labour rights and their professional development, the union found it fit to organise the inaugural conference.

“We were especially attracted by the idea of BINC 2015 because it was in line with our mandate of facilitating training and research in the nursing and health sector,” she added.

She added that BINC 2015 was also embraced by nurses at the BONU national congress in Kasane because it would give them the opportunity to engage through an energising and informative programme of speakers and presenters with the aim of advancing and improving coverage and quality of nursing services.

“To us, BINC 2015 presented a once in a lifetime opportunity for in-depth exchange of experiences and expertise within the international nursing community,” she added.

The Botswana International Nursing Conference is organised through a joint venture between BONU, the government through the Ministry of Health as the custodian of the health sector and a private sector company called Aviwe Healthcare Resource and Training Institute.

The main objectives of the conference are to: demonstrate the role and impact of evidence-informed practice in improving the health of individuals, families and communities, provide an opportunity for networking and sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices of projects with national, regional and international colleagues and provide opportunities for continuing professional education for nurses and midwives that responds to changing health needs. 

The three-day conference has attracted over 1 000 nursing professionals, stakeholders and industry captains from all over Africa to share ideas on how to harness professional development in the health sector. The gathering has also provided an opportunity for the international nursing community to communicate, align and interact with clinicians, leaders and decision-makers in nursing and health care. 

Topics covered at the conference include evidence based care, accreditation of health facilities, strengthening of community systems, quality of service and entrepreneurship in health. Ends