23 Aug 2020

Ministry of Health and Wellness is set to undergo transformation  by  incorporating and synchronising the use of digital technology,  says Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Lemogang Kwape.

Giving an update on the ministry’s strategic direction in the delivery of health services Saturday, Dr Kwape said government embraced the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the health sector to avoid in-person visits to health facilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The eHealth strategy, he said,  was the latest demonstration of government’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and ensuring adequate health provision to all citizenry.

 He said government  recognised accessibility of health services to all as a fundamental basic human need hence the importance of upgrading health services to be at par with current challenges.

 Dr Kwape stated that adoption of digital health brought plenty of opportunities for employment creation for those in the cyber space.

“With well researched and validated digital platforms there are opportunities for home grown solutions for the local eHealth landscape as the ministry has recently hosted a group of BIUST students who are keen to share strategies on how digital health as a field can be institutionalised and incorporated into the health care sector,” he said.

Dr Kwape emphasised the need to be cognisant of Botswana`s strategies and policies on  utilisation of ICT to empower Batswana.

 The benefits of digital health to patient and health care providers, including improved outcome, better data sharing, time saving and improved communications were well recognised, Dr Kwape said.

Noting the surge in numbers  of health workers infected with COVID-19, Minister Kwape  stressed the need  to educate frontliners on proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage.

He assured the nation that all precautionary measures would be taken to guard against COVID-19 outbreak at health centers. 

On another matter, Dr Kwape raised concern about high maternal mortality numbers recorded in Botswana revealing that 43 cases were registered  nationally since the beginning of the year.

Meanwhile, health and wellness ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Kabelo Ebineng has called on Batswana to create  and sustain inter-sectoral partnerships with health officials at all times.

Partnerships in community-based health promotion could bring fruitful and sustainable benefits in the health sector, he said.

Mr Ebineng implored Batswana to work in unison with health and law enforcement officials by complying with all COVID-19 protocols. 

 He said the ministry would strive to strengthen district health management teams in order to ensure provision of adequate health services to all.

The permanent secretary  admitted the country was facing a challenge in shortage of pharmaceuticals.

He however assured the nation  that the ministry was working on  remedying the situation. Ends