Background

Botswana offers universal healthcare to all its citizens. A nominal fee of P2 and P20 (for citizens and foreigners respectively) may be charged for some services in the public sector, but sexual reproductive health services and antiretroviral therapy services are free. Healthcare professionals working in public clinics and hospitals are generally well trained locally and internationally.

Botswana ranks 108/195 according to Global Health Security Index rating of 2021 with an index score of 33.6. [1]

Healthcare Delivery & Cordination

Ministry of Health and Wellness, MOHW is mandated to the overall and oversight and delivery of health care services in the country with strong emphasis on public health. A model of excellence in quality health services Aims to improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of every Motswana to fully contribute to the development of Botswana through a healthy nation.

Health services in Botswana are delivered through public, private for profit, private non-profit and traditional medicine practice. The Ministry of Health is responsible for coordinating and leading the the health sector in Botswana including formulating policies, setting standards, regulation as well as ensuring that quality and affordable health services are delivered to all.

Health Services

Clinics provide health services within the reach of communities. Clinics offer mainly primary health care and outpatient services including general consultations, treatment of injuries and minor illnesses with serious cases referred to hospitals. Some clinics have access to diagnostic services. Clinics operate mobile stop services within their catchment areas. Mobile stops and Health post offer limited services with larger clinics and clinics with maternity wards offering most of the outlined services.

Hospital Services

Our hospitals offer a wide range of health services. Hospitals are referral points in the health care delivery system. They provide patient treatment, inpatient care, specialist services and support to clinics in the district. Hospitals provide clinical services to a large number of clients and are usually staffed with qualified personnel. MOHW operates three types of Hospitals which are distinguished by the types and level of services they provide.

Emergency Services

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital emergency medical care, transport to definitive care, and other medical transport of patients with illnesses and injuries which prevent the patient from transporting themselves.

Health Regulation

The Health sector in Botswana is regulated by the Public Health Act. Both the public and private sectors, professionals are accredited by professional councils in accordance with the Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Act and the Nurses and Midwives. In addition to professional accreditation, the Ministry of Health is also responsible for the registration of private facilities through recognised standards. Medicine regulation and control is mostly based on the provisions of the Drugs and Related Substance Act.

Medicines Regulation

The Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) was established by the Medicines and Related Substances Act of 2013. The Authority’s primary role is to administer the Medicines and Related Substances Act which is to regulate the supply chain of human and veterinary medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics to ensure that they meet the set standards of safety quality and effectiveness.

Medical Aid Regulation

In terms of the NBFIRA Act, Medical Aid Funds/Scheme (“MAFs”) are regulated and supervised by NBFIRA. There is however currently no subordinate regulations and rules to license and monitor the MAFs effectively. In this regard, in 2012 NBFIRA engaged Consultants (KPMG) to conduct research- which was Phase 1 of the project-on the current MAFs industry setup and recommend to NBFIRA whether to draft a new and specific legal framework which introduces Regulations and Rules for MAFs or to transform the MAFs to underwrite health insurance as insurers under the regulation and supervision of the Insurance Industry Act. The report from this study established the need for a clear and separate regulatory framework that will protect the contributions of members, ensures the sustainability of the industry and most importantly continues to provide health care funding to Batswana. Currently listed providers are listed below;