UNDOCUMENTED PATIENTS MUST GET MEDICAL TREATMENT ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCIES-NYANGA
06 Aug 2026
Undocumented immigrants who require medical attention should be assisted at health facilities, with emergency patients receiving immediate care regardless of their immigration status or documentation.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Dr Christopher Nyanga says the Ministry’s position is that anyone who is sick should receive appropriate assistance, particularly in emergencies.
The clarification comes amid reports circulating on social media alleging that undocumented patients have at times been denied medical assistance at health facilities.
“Anyone who is sick should be assisted, whether they have documents or not. Especially in emergencies, we take the patient and immediately stabilise them,” Dr Nyanga says in an interview.
He says healthcare workers may be unable to provide certain services because of limited resources, facility capacity, professional scope or the need for specialised care.
However, this does not mean patients should simply be turned away without assistance.
“Instead, patients should be assessed, provided with necessary immediate care within the healthcare worker’s competence and referred or escalated to an appropriate facility where necessary,” he says.
Dr Nyanga says the approach applies regardless of a patient’s documentation status, particularly where urgent or emergency medical intervention is required.
He also says patients or authorised caregivers may refuse treatment, subject to applicable laws and regulations, but should be informed of the consequences and available alternatives. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Taboka Ngwako
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Date : 06 Aug 2026
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