29 May 2025

Mortality surveillance is vital, not only as a data collection tool, but as a life-saving intervention, particularly in reducing maternal and under-five mortality. This was said by Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse during the Mortality Surveillance stakeholder workshop in Gaborone recently.

He said government was committed to saving lives through improved mortality surveillance. The week-long workshop aimed to enhance the country’s ability to track and respond to patterns of death more effectively.

 “Through robust mortality data, we gain insights that are essential for effective policy-making and for improving the overall health of our population,” he said.

The Minister stressed the need to uphold accuracy, validity, and ethical standards in data management, advocating for best practices and timely reporting. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening health systems through infrastructure development, digital skills training for health workers, and the adoption of advanced data collection technologies.

“This includes bolstering the Botswana Public Health Institute (BPHI) by enhancing its capabilities in mortality surveillance, disease monitoring, and emergency response,” he shared, adding that Botswana was determined to transition seamlessly to the International Classification of Diseases, 11^th Revision (ICD-11), making it a national priority and key component of building a resilient health system.

Mr Ookeditse also emphasised the importance of multi-sectorial collaboration, acknowledging the critical roles of partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other stakeholders.

“Their expertise, resources, and global perspectives are invaluable in strengthening our health systems,” he noted.

Representing Africa CDC, Principal Officer in the Surveillance Division Ms Emily Barigye Atuheire expressed appreciation for the collaboration with the Ministry of Health on mortality surveillance initiatives.

“Too often, we are questioned about why we focus on the dead, since they are already gone. Our response is simple, to protect the living, we must understand why the dead lost their lives in the first place,” said Ms Atuheire.

She noted that one of Africa’s greatest challenges was in the  health sector often being reactive, responding to outbreaks and crises without a clear understanding of their root causes, particularly in underserved communities.

“Accurate and timely mortality surveillance is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for early detection, effective response, and saving lives,” she said.

Ms Atuheire said that the workshop aimed to address these systemic gaps and lay the groundwork for a strengthened national mortality surveillance framework. ENDS