08 Sep 2024

The Ministry of Health provides primary healthcare services through District Health Management Teams (DHMTs). DHMTs are responsible for running a network of health facilities, hospitals, clinics, health posts and mobile stops as well as community-based preventative and promotive services.

Botswana provides universal healthcare to all citizens through a public healthcare system, but privately run healthcare is also available.

The government operates 98% of all medical facilities. Healthcare in Botswana is delivered through a decentralized model with primary healthcare being the pillar of the delivery system.

Botswana has an extensive network of health facilities (hospitals, clinics, health posts, mobile stops) in the 27 health districts. In addition to an extensive network of 104 clinics with beds, 195 clinics without beds, 338 health posts and 844 mobile stops primary healthcare services in Botswana are integrated within overall hospital services, being provided in the outpatient sections of all levels of hospitals.

It is through these structures that a complement of preventive, promotive and rehabilitative health services as well as treatment and care of common problems are provided.

For a general check-up, citizens are charged P5, unless they are under five or over 65, in which the service is free.

The network of public hospitals is organised between primary hospitals, which function as general hospitals and equipped to deal with most diseases and immediate threats to health, district hospitals, which have more beds and are equipped to deal with more serious medical issues, and referral hospitals, which are highly advanced facilities equipped to deal with specialised problems.

The Kweneng District Health Management Team Coordinator (DHMT) Ms Josephine Mosimanewakgosi said primary healthcare remains integral in the public health service.

She said it is the intention of the government to revitalise primary healthcare, which aims at reducing the number of patients visiting hospitals.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi said primary healthcare is given to communities within their context of social values, beliefs, norms and morals.

“It calls for community involvement and participation while at the same time communities are empowered to take responsibility of their own health,” she explained.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi noted that primary healthcare has to bring heathcare services to the people at an affordable cost in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.

She stated that it was important for everyone to attend to their health on time to avoid congestion at hospitals and local clinics.

She said the system supports a person’s health needs from health promotion to disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

She called on communities to take responsibilities of their health and walk under the banner of “my health, my responsibility”.

She said government continues to spread health service centres across the country in an effort to make sure Batswana access health services.

She added that primary healthcare includes seeing health professionals to help one maintain good health, with regular health checks, health advice when you have concerns, and support for ongoing care.

During his official visit to Botswana to attend the 73rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the Julia Molefhe Clinic in Gaborone, Botswana. This visit was part of his broader mission to assess and appreciate healthcare systems and initiatives Botswana has made towards improving its health sector.

The facility, which serves a population of at least 27 000 people in Botswana’s capital, is a shining example of the country's commitment to advancing primary healthcare and a testament to Botswana's strategic investment in healthcare infrastructure.

The health facility provides health care services such as sexual and reproductive health services as well as community outreach programmes to beat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Dr Tedros praised Botswana's efforts in bolstering its healthcare system, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in ensuring equitable healthcare access for all.

“Botswana is a living example of how investment in primary health care pays off,”  the WHO chief stated.

Botswana's remarkable success in investing in primary health care stands as a testament to its visionary approach to public health. By allocating a significant portion of its budget to healthcare infrastructure, Botswana has established a robust network of clinics, hospitals, and medical facilities nationwide.

Through allocating resources and a strong commitment to community well-being, the country has achieved significant advancements in public healthcare. 

By establishing an extensive network of primary health care facilities, focusing on preventive measures, and ensuring essential services are readily available, the government has made significant strides towards advancing access to health care for its people. End