The consensus follows a briefing by Senior Consultant on NHI, Ms Lydia Sejo-Andries at a special council meeting on Tuesday.

Ms Sejo-Andries said the team was working on developing NHI policy aimed at achieving universal health coverage by making health care more accessible and affordable to every Motswana and residents despite their background.

Currently, she said they were on a consultation drive across the country, engaging members of the public.

Ms Sejo-Andries added that the goal was to improve financial protection while at the same time strengthening health care regulations that would enable Batswana to access health services from both the public and private institutions.

Over recent years, she said there had been an outcry from the public that they were not getting proper health services from public facilities. 

Furthermore, she pointed out that public and private health institutions would be accredited to ensure provision of quality health services.

Meanwhile, Tutume District Council chairperson, Mr Tabona Masole welcomed the initiative, saying it was government’s priority to improve the livelihoods of Batswana.

Mr Masole noted that if the implementation was done properly, public complaints would be a thing of the past. 

Representative of Tutume District at Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Wanda Ndadi said there should be close monitoring of the funds to curb mismanagement.

He added that maintenance of health facilities should be prioritised and be fully equipped to reduce costly referral to specialists outside the country. ENDS