08 Aug 2019

 Minister of Health and Wellness has emphasised the need to fortify policies that protect the public from health threats.

Speaking at a two-day consultative workshop aimed at driving critical conversations in advancing cancer care and prevention efforts in Botswana on August 7, Dr Alfred Madigele said strengthening interventions and care infrastructure would not only reduce cancer mortality and mobility but would also reduce social and economic impact.

As such, government, with Rutgers University support, intended to reinforce patient centered outcomes by enhancing access to care and care coordination through all of the ministry’s facilities as well as communities.

The minister said the workshop was relevant to furthering the development of Botswana Rutgers partnership efforts as well as sharing best strategies and evidence-based approaches to build equitable health care in the country.

“Liberating the shared goals between Botswana and Rutgers are opportunities to strengthen health care system and build healthy communities,” the minister said.

Rutgers University Chancellor Christopher Molloy said they were eager to explore ways in which the institution could become involved in joint efforts.

The workshop, which ended yesterday, had brought together various multi-sectoral stakeholders to exchange best practice knowledge on clinical and community-based cancer care and prevention models.

It also projected possible improvements in cancer care and prevention at each level of the health system and further looked into collaborative solutions to improve cancer survival in Botswana.The workshop focused on five critical domains which included pediatric, adult and radiation oncology to facilitate creation of improvements in comprehensive cancer care with specialised oncology services in Botswana.

Further, it looked into cancer prevention in primary and community-based settings to better prepare Botswana health care workforce and the public to participate and benefit from cancer prevention initiatives.

In addition, the workshop discussed the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital with a view to support the launch of team-based, patient-centered care models in general medicine and specialty care.

Digital health and telecommunications to improve patient care experiences and outcomes through telementoring, telemedicine and telehealth were also discussed.

Also on the programme was discussion on health professions education and inter-professional education to mobilise and create longitudinal team-based learning and training initiatives for medical and health professionals and students. ENDS