08 Mar 2022

The newly elected president of Pharmaceutical Society of Botswana (PSB) Ms Thapelo Ntwaagae has vowed to grow the society and make it financially independent. 

Ms Ntwaagae who was elected at the end of a four-day PSB congress in Francistown over the weekend said in the past they had challenges finding sponsors, which made it difficult for the executive to run the society’s office and deliver on its mandate. 

“One of the duties during my tenure in office will be to mobilise sponsorship and membership to raise funds and ensure PSB is financially stable to be able to deliver on its mandate,” she said. 

Ms Ntwaagae explained that membership apathy had been a major challenge to the society as only the same number of people who it started with were members.. 

She said this was because the decision to associate was voluntary and not driven by law like in other countries citing that in the past it had been a challenge for over 300 pharmacy personnel to associate with a professional body. 

“We intend to work with other health professionals’ associations in the country to ensure that our laws make it compulsory for professionals to associate. My predecessor has already started on this and we will ensure that it bears fruits,” she said. 

Ms Ntwaagae said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the society found itself dealing with shortage of medicines across the country due to disruption in the pharmaceutical supply chain worldwide.  She said she would draw from the resolutions to see how the issue of shortage could be addressed. 

She explained that PSB presidency was one of the most difficult positions in the society but thanked members for trusting her to take the society forward. 

“This position requires time and energy for one to succeed, and I am hopeful that the passion I have for the profession will take me through and enable me to deliver on the member’s expectation. I am also confident that together with my team, we will continue to improve the mandate set before us,” she said. Ms Ntwaagae is deputised by Mr Daniel Bathwi, with Ms Cynthia Oatlhotse having been elected secretary general. 

Ms Peo Plaatjie and Ms Matshediso Makojoa were elected treasurer and vice secretary respectively. ends