Africa-Press – Botswana. The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed commitment to tackling maternal mortality and ensuring healthy beginnings for every mother and child.
Speaking at the World Health Day commemoration in Gaborone yesterday, the Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse, highlighted the ministry’s strategic interventions aimed at reducing preventable deaths through comprehensive healthcare measures.
Mr Ookeditse said one of the core pillars of the ministry’s strategy was strengthening ante-natal and post-natal care.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that all pregnant women received early and regular check-ups, including promoting safe hospital deliveries by skilled personnel to mitigate complications and reduce maternal mortality.
He said the ministry also planned to increase access to family planning services, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptives, to prevent unplanned pregnancies that could lead to complications for both mothers and babies. Mr Ookeditse emphasised the vital role of public health campaigns in addressing maternal mortality.
He said it was time campaigns focussed on raising awareness in communities about safe pregnancy practices, maternal, and new-born health be resuscitated as they ensure that every community was equipped with the knowledge to protect maternal and child health.
Another key focus, Mr Ookeditse mentioned was capacity building within the health-care sector.
He called for intensified training for healthcare professionals, especially in emergency obstetric care and new-born resuscitation.
He further said the ministry was also committed to ensuring that maternity wards were properly equipped to handle complications during labour and delivery, ensuring that no woman was left vulnerable due to a lack of resources or expertise.
In addition to internal improvements, Mr Ookeditse underscored the importance of strengthening collaborations with strategic partners.
He said that included continuing vaccination programmes to protect both mothers and new born babies from preventable diseases.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the ministry aimed to enhance partnerships with stakeholders to improve health-care infrastructure and maternal health policies, ensuring that all pregnant women and their children had access to the care they needed.
Mr Ookeditse reiterated the ministry’s determination to continue working with all sectors to reduce maternal mortality and build a healthier, safer future for all Batswana.
The theme for the World Health Day, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” Mr Ookeditse said emphasised the importance of maternal and new-born health, a fundamental pillar in building a healthier society.
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