Africa-Press – Botswana. Primary Health Care (PHC) is one of the most essential package in the health services, Minister of Health Dr Edwin Dikoloti said when unpacking PHC, adding it was all about managing illnesses.
He said PHC was aimed at preventing illness, promoting health and managing illness, and that it included all aspects of health, be it mental, physical, or any other.
In his statement Dr Dikoloti stressed the need to access a health facility even when one did not feel sick, but just for medical check-up and screening, so that if, by chance, there was a hidden disease, it could be diagnosed, “be treated early before becoming even more serious and be a threat to one’s life.
He said PHC catered for all people from the day of birth, adding that children must be immunised to prevent diseases and promote health.
For that reason, there has been oral vaccination against polio, World Hearing Day encouraging ear check-up and oral health, including African Vaccination Week in which children went for any missed vaccination.
Dr Dikoloti said by attaining quality PHC, Botswana would have achieved universal health coverage and people would receive essential health services they needed, as well as be ready to face whatever health issues that may come their way.
Striving to achieve United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals for 2030 on universal health coverage, Botswana hosted the 73rd session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee (RC73) for Africa in Gaborone.
The RC73 conference coincided with WHO Diamond Jubilee Celebration, which saw at least 500 health delegates attending – including 47 Health ministers from across Africa to discuss health promotion matters and learn best practices from each other.
The event saw former ministers of Health Joy Phumaphi, and Sheila Tlou share their experiences from their time in office.
Botswana got an opportunity to share its success stories, HIV/AIDS and attainment of target surpassing UNAIDS targets of 95 95 95 to 95 98 98, as well as challenges in the health sector.
Batswana and stakeholders were called to focus on the 5-2-2- to achieve 100-100-100 so that HIV was totally eliminated from Botswana.
Minister Dikoloti chaired the summit and Dr Matshediso Moeti was awarded the Presidential Order for Meritorious Service Award during the meet.
Cases of mumps (Makidiane) measles and rubella were detected in the country and the ministry worked around the clock to normalise the situation.
In an effort to transform the health care services and improve the landscape of Botswana, Sidilega Private Hospital in Gaborone established a lifesaving procedure of Bone Marrow Transplant facility.
Clinical Haematologist Dr Elizabeth Botsile said the bone marrow transplant services being the first of its kind in Botswana, was a way to bring scarce services and deliver high standards and quality care services in the country. Radiation Oncology Centre was also launched at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH).
In the quest to fight Gender Based Violence, abuse of drugs and HIV/AIDS, City to City prevention campaign took a more resolute stance in the fight against such ills.
City to City Campaign project manager, Mr Kaone Ramontshonyana said the war against drugs and spread of HIV/AIDS were on the rise and it was evident that the nation was on the losing end, therefore said it was a sign that a lot more needed to be done to raise awareness, and thus called upon the nation to stand together and fight against all these.
Amidst all the diseases, mental health was one particular ailment that seemed ignored over time, but it has since taken a centre stage of the health sector.
“Without a good mental health there is no good health,” echoed by Ms Charity Kennedy of Botswana Network of Mental Health who said mental health is a reminder to prioritise taking care of self, with empathy, compassion.
She called upon people to break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a better world for all.
She said depression and stress were real, and urged the public to go for counselling services to avert social ills including suicide.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) remain a great threat, with excessive alcohol consumption, fatty and salty food intake and lack of exercise fingered as factors contributing significantly to NCDs. Batswana have been therefore urged people to protect themselves against NCDs, and reminded that physical activity improves mental health, physical and social health and well-being across all ages.
First Lady, Neo Masisi became chief walker at various events including the 73WHO Regional Committee for Africa dubbed “Walk the Talk” in a bid to fight NCDs.
She reflected on the fact that NCDs were silent killers, adding 41 million people around the world die each year, which is equivalent to 74 percent of death globally and that of all NCDs deaths, 77 percent deaths happen in low and middle income countries.
She said everyone knows someone suffering from NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes and therefore called on African nations to be focused on fighting NCDs.
“Walking does not only promote health, but is a response to some significant societal, environmental, mental including the physical challenge,” she said, adding that physical exercise goes a long way towards saving lives and ensuring healthy lifestyles.
On the other hand, Minister Dikoloti stressed the importance to teach children to be infused with information about NCDs with “catch them young” so that they learn about NCDs early enough, and promoted a healthy diet. The ministry encouraged 10 000 steps every day.
The ministry also launched an Airborne Lifeline Foundation, which would see specialist flying services to remote areas in the morning and getting back to their duty stations later.
E-lockers services were also launched, an initiative by FHI360 in partnership with the ministry of health and Botswana Post will see chronic medication being accessed 24 hours a day, with flexibility of choosing a time most convenient for collection in Main Mall and Mogoditshane.
CANCER
The country was painted pink as Batswana commemorated Breast Cancer Day.
Stakeholders were therefore urged to unite in fighting cervical cancerMs Masisi said cervical cancer mortality statistics revealed that globally a woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes, and therefore it was important that stakeholders worked hard to eliminate it.
Ms Masisi said statistics reveal that cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of death in women in Sub Saharan Africa, accounting for 76 000 every year.
She called for action across the region, driving the message of unity, action and possibility of eliminating cervical cancer and saving the lives of women across the globe.
Topical and critical challenges was when Botswana experienced shortage of medicine, the outcry which Minister Dikoloti said was a result of COVID restrictions.
Donations of contraceptives and PPEs were received from Chinese government, and UNFPA, BAYLOR – Botswana donated oncology medicine. Mission for Motions donated 90 tons of various medications through facilitation of Botswana Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence Trust.
Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS) 5 survey findings were released, and Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said Botswana was on track towards ending HIV/AIDS epidemic. The year also saw First Lady Ms Jane Masisi appointed as one of the only two UNAIDS Champions in Africa.
Veteran nurse and esteemed health worker Ms Julia Molefhe passed on. She was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the health sector and nursing profession in particular and one of the clinics in Gaborone is named after her.
As the festive is upon the nation, people are requested to donate blood and continue spreading the message against NCDs, HIV/AIDS and road accidents.
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