Africa-Press – Botswana. While fiscal constraints continue to shape the national budget, the current allocation also presents a unique opportunity to optimize value for money in healthcare delivery.
Speaking during health sector budget speech review session at Boitekanelo College in Tlokweng Thursday, acting minister of Health, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse said Botswana’s healthcare sector must focus on ensuring that every pula spent contributed directly to improving health outcomes for all Batswana.
“We must leverage innovation, collaboration and strategic partnerships to ensure that every pula spent contributes to improved health outcomes for all Batswana,” he stressed.
The minister acknowledged that the ministry of Health had been allocated a total of P8.98 billion for the coming fiscal year, which represented a decrease of P480 million compared to the previous year’s budget.
He said the reduction was due to the transfer of primary health care functions to the ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.
Despite the decline, Mr Ookeditse reassured stakeholders that the reduced budget provided an opportunity for the health sector to explore more efficient ways to deliver services and achieve better outcomes.
He highlighted the importance of exploring innovative healthcare delivery models, building partnerships across public and private sectors and embracing technology to improve service efficiency and accessibility.
He noted that strategic collaborations were essential in making healthcare delivery more efficient, adding that “by working together whether it was with international partners, private sector entities, or local organizations, we could achieve more with less and ensure that no Motswana was left behind in the pursuit of better health.”
The review session, held under the theme “Advancing Health Equity through Strategic Budgeting and Universal Health Coverage,” Mr Ookeditse said provided an opportunity to reflect on the implications of the recently presented National Budget for the 2025/2026 financial year and discuss strategies to advance health equity and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Achieving UHC continues to be a central focus of the health sector’s agenda,” emphasized Mr Ookeditse.
He said UHC, ensured that all individuals and communities have access to the health services they needed without suffering financial hardship, adding that it could only be realized through strategic investments and careful financial planning.
Mr Ookeditse reiterated that the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme was essential for ensuring that every Motswana has access to quality healthcare without facing financial hardship.
He called on all stakeholders to support the NHI initiative and emphasised that UHC was not just about access but also equity.
“We must address the disparities in health outcomes that persist across different populations,” he said, adding that targeted investments in underserved areas were necessary to strengthen primary healthcare systems and ensure vulnerable groups were not left behind. Mr Ookeditse commend Boitekanelo College for its significant contributions to the health sector.
He praised the college for its commitment to training and employing local talent, which aligned with the new administration’s agenda for job creation and economic empowerment.
He encouraged Boitekanelo College to double its impact by next year, contributing further to the development of a skilled workforce in Botswana.
Mr Ookeditse urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the 2025/2026 budget translated into tangible improvements in the health and well-being of Batswana. “We must create a healthier, more equitable and prosperous Botswana for all,” he said.
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