06 Nov 2025

Two new primary hospitals will be constructed in Tutume and Kasane during NDP 12, while various health facilities across the country will get a facelift, says Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise.

Presenting before Parliament on Tuesday, a proposed P10.5 billion budget estimate for his ministry’s projects and programmes under NDP 12, Dr Modise noted that P6.96 billion of the requested sum would go toward hospital services.

He said the hospital services budget would cover construction of emergency and medical centres at Dibete and Nata, sewer treatment plant at JP Kavindama primary hospital in Shakawe, as well as complete Moshupa and Shakawe primary hospitals’ staff housing projects.

Dr Modise said facilities that would be upgraded during the plan period included Palapye, Gumare and Bobonong primary hospitals, Kanye, Mochudi and Letlhakane district hospitals as well as Neonatal High Care units in Serowe, Maun, Mahalapye and Molepolole district hospitals.

He further said part of the budget would fund the refurbishment of Princess Marina, Nyangabgwe, S’brana, Selebi Phikwe, Athlone, Mmadinare and Sekgoma hospitals, the ministry headquarters and Francistown TB laboratory, as well as the procurement of medical equipment.

For primary health care services, Dr Modise proposed P1.48 billion for the construction of Mogoditshane community health centre and upgrading of Shoshong, Tsabong, Lerala, Tonota and Letlhakeng facilities to primary hospital level 1.

He further said they would establish a food and water testing satellite laboratory in Maun.

In order to strengthen the coordination of primary health care services, the Dr Modise noted that they require P882 million to facilitate HIV/AIDS and promote health programmes.

“The National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA), has been transferred to the Ministry of Health to strengthen primary health care coordination.

The programme consists of complementary funding to the Global Fund and the US Presidency’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which provides resources to the national response to HIV/AIDS, TB and non-communicable diseases,” he said.

He said fleet expansion and computerisation of the sector’s services was estimated to cost P63 million and P218 million respectively.

Dr Modise said the computerisation projects included digitalising services, developing Information and Communications (ICT) infrastructure, establishing electronic medical records, as well as enhancing various systems to improve the efficiency of health services.

He further said P73 million was required for various consultancy programmes which include the National Health Insurance, implementation of the essential health services packages, development of the National Reference Tariffs, establishment of the Directorate of Health Inspectorate and TB Prevalence Survey, among others.

Dr Modise said the establishment of Botswana Public Health Institute, with the estimated sum of P280 million would strengthen the national health security through efficient and effective emergency preparedness and response coordination.

He further proposed that P260 million be approved to transform the Central Medical Stores (CMS) into an autonomous management structure.

Dr Modise said the transformation would go a long way in ensuring efficiency and improving procurement laws for more flexible and cost effective processes.

In addition, he outlined that capacitating Sir Ketumile Teaching Hospital to effectively operate as a quaternary facility with advanced specialist clinical care and centre for teaching and research required P188 million.

Dr Modise also proposed P190 million to construct the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) headquarters offices and staff houses in Gaborone as well as enhance its operations.

“Weak regulations, outdated laws, policies and limited oversight capacity have left medicines, food, research and service quality under-regulated. The programme aims to strengthen the effectiveness of BOMRA, transforming it into a food and medicines regulatory authority, by incorporating food quality and control regulations,” he explained. ENDS