Botswana Minute.
Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hourWork with us
Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Botswanan press · Organization

Ministry of Health

Also known as: Ministry of Health in Botswana

Botswanan government ministry responsible for health policy, service delivery, and national health initiatives including the National Health Insurance Policy and digital health systems.

2026-05-052026-10-27
Share on WhatsApp

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Ministry of Health

Every mention in the Botswanan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

Order a news report

Tell us where to reach you and we’ll be in touch to agree the period and format.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026

  2. The Botswana Gazette

    Health ministry confirms isolated resistance to Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border, says situation is under control with awareness efforts ongoing BONGANI MALUNGA The Ministry of Health has confirmed that it has encountered instances of travellers refusing to undergo Ebola sc …

    MoH Monitoring Ebola Screening Refusals

  3. Daily News Botswana

    … Mr Dimpho Dichaba who represented cleaners from Scottish Livingstone Hospital told the minister that they had not been paid their salaries for the past three months and their employer had cited non-payment from the Ministry of Health. …

    Employment Act Comes Into Effect July 1

  4. The Botswana Gazette

    Ombudsman Stephen Tiroyakgosi says he will brief the nation on the Ministry of Health’s response once government commitments have been consolidated. …

    Ombudsman Promises Progress Report on Health Crisis

  5. Daily News Botswana

    … Chief public relations officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr Christopher Nyanga, said although NCD prevalence among children remained lower than among adults, the upward trajectory cannot be ignored. …

    Official highlights importance of play
  6. May 2026

  7. Mmegi

    In a public notice this morning, the Ministry of Health said the precautionary move is intended to protect the health and safety of all citizens and residents of Botswana, as well as to prevent the spreading of the virus.The Ministry stated that the intervention will also help en …

    Gov't intensifies Ebola virus screening

  8. The Botswana Gazette

    Botswana is facing Ebola importation through its busy regional transport and travel routes, with government warning of risks SESUPO RANTSIMAKO The Ministry of Health has issued the warning of Ebola importation risks following fresh outbreaks of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD), com …

    Botswana on Alert as Ebola Returns

  9. The Botswana Gazette

    Health authorities say misinformation threatens Botswana’s fight against polio as officials defend emergency oral vaccination measures targeting young children BONGANI MALUNGA The Ministry of Health has moved to calm growing public concern and misinformation surrounding Botswana’ …

    MoH Pushes Back Against Polio Vaccine Conspiracies

  10. The Botswana Gazette

    The Ministry of Health has finally submitted its response to the Ombudsman’s damning report on Botswana’s failing public health sector, outlining proposed measures to address the entrenched service delivery failures it laid bare GAZETTE REPORTER The Ministry of Health has moved t …

    Govt, Ombudsman Strike Deal on ‘Health Crisis’

  11. Weekend Post

    … In May of last year, Professor Oatlhokwa Nkomazana, the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, told the Public Accounts Committee she could not understand the rationale behind building the Edison Setlhomo Memorial Hospital, given that residents of Moshupa had bette …

    Scandal-Plagued Hospital Nears Completion After Years of Delay
Society

US invests $4.3m in Botswana digital health information system

The News

The US government has invested more than $4.3 million since 2023 in Botswana's Digital Community Health Information System (IKITSE), which enables real-time collection, management and analysis of community health data. The investment includes support for system development, user training, dashboards at the Ministry of Health, satellite internet devices, tablets and equipment to strengthen community health services.

21 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 21 October

  1. US invests $4.3m in Botswana digital health information system

    The US government has invested more than $4.3 million since 2023 in Botswana's Digital Community Health Information System (IKITSE), which enables real-time collection, management and analysis of community health data. The investment includes support for system development, user training, dashboards at the Ministry of Health, satellite internet devices, tablets and equipment to strengthen community health services.

    21 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 14 October

  1. BPF MP criticises health ministry over medicine shortages

    Serowe South MP Leepetswe Lesedi has criticized the Ministry of Health over the government's handling of persistent medicine shortages, creating a rift with fellow BPF legislator Lawrence Ookeditse, who serves as Assistant Minister of Health.

    14 October 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Friday 2 October

  1. Medicine availability stuck at 42 percent in Botswana

    Central Medical Stores data shows average availability of vital, essential and necessary medicines at 42 percent, with the Ministry of Health targeting 97 percent availability by December.

    2 October 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Monday 28 September

  1. Botswana's NHI policy must clarify funding roles across institutions

    Botswana's National Health Insurance policy is structurally built on primary health care with a costed benefit package and phased pilots, but practical coordination gaps remain unresolved. Government Notice No. 742 of 2024 transferred clinics to the local government ministry while primary hospitals and NHI design stayed with the Health ministry, creating ambiguity over who funds clinic operations and supervises referrals while claims are pending.

    28 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Botswana reduces child undernutrition prevalence since 2000

    Botswana has lowered underweight prevalence among children under five to less than 10 per cent and stunting from 30 per cent in 2000 to 21 per cent in 2017, after establishing a Food and Nutrition Unit in the early 1970s.

    28 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 21 September

  1. Botswana's NHI split between ministries risks implementation, analysis warns

    An opinion piece argues that Botswana's National Health Insurance, being designed in the Ministry of Health, faces institutional friction because primary health care was moved to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs in April 2025. The author calls for clarity on consultation processes and questions whether the government has completed foundational stages beyond legislation.

    21 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Wednesday 9 September

  1. First Lady calls for mental health education to address youth issues

    First Lady Kaone Boko has called for public education on mental health and early interventions, saying parents and guardians need guidance to identify early behavioural changes in adolescents that could lead to mental health conditions and substance abuse. She launched a revamped adolescent ward and therapeutic garden at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse, emphasizing the need for parents to pay attention to children's emotional and psychological wellbeing.

    9 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Botswana economy grows 3.5 per cent in first quarter 2025

    Botswana's economy registered 3.5 per cent growth in the first quarter of 2025, attributed to increased diamond sales and cost containment measures. The MP for Francistown South noted that diamond sales rose from P100 million in July 2024 to P300 million in July 2025, and highlighted that the country's foreign reserves stand at P51 billion.

    2 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 31 August

  1. Ministry of Health delivers six ambulances to remote areas

    The Ministry of Health handed over six state-of-the-art ambulances to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs to improve emergency medical care in Botswana's remote districts, with the goal of reducing emergency response times and improving maternal healthcare access. Minister of Health Dr Stephen Modise noted that the country's maternal mortality rate of 176.6 deaths per 100,000 live births is alarming and requires improved access to timely medical care.

    31 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Botswana adopts National Health Insurance Policy, partners with Abu Dhabi

    Parliament unanimously adopted the National Health Insurance Policy on 19 August 2026, and the Ministry of Health announced a ten-year partnership with Abu Dhabi Health Data Services covering medicines, medical products, digital health, genomics and supply-chain support. The Minister of Health framed NHI as a question of dignity and equity, ensuring people can obtain quality care regardless of where they live or what they earn.

    30 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Friday 28 August

  1. Palapye landowners invited to review draft valuation roll

    Palapye District Council is urging property owners to review and comment on a draft valuation roll between August 7 and September 4, 2026 via an online platform, with the final roll targeted for September subject to processing public input.

    28 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 20 August

  1. El Niño threatens severe heat-related health crisis in Botswana

    An 80% likelihood of a strong El Niño event is expected to bring soaring temperatures and prolonged dry spells to Botswana in the 2026/27 season, raising alarm among government and health experts over severe health risks including heat-related illnesses and water scarcity.

    20 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Botswana records 41,000 deaths over five years

    Botswana's Births and Deaths Registration System logged nearly 41,000 deaths between mid-2021 and mid-2026, with yearly figures ranging from 7,346 to 8,861 and average ages at death fluctuating between 67 and 79 years. The data was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, raising questions about healthcare system challenges and the causes of death.

    13 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Botswana must prioritize science, prevention for future strength

    Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe told the US CDC-Botswana 30th Anniversary Science Summit that Botswana should be shaped by prevention, preparedness and science-driven delivery over the next 30 years, with focus on strengthening scientific capacity, reinforcing institutions and building a self-reliant economy through stronger disease surveillance, investment in health workers, and African capacity to research and manufacture diagnostics and vaccines.

    6 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 27 July

  1. Parliamentary inquiry into Botswana's nationwide drug shortages

    A parliamentary hearing saw Lobatse MP Kamal Jacobs demand accountability from health officials over persistent medicine stock-outs in public facilities, blaming administrative failures at the Central Medical Stores and questioning whether its acting director has the capacity to resolve procurement and distribution challenges. The Ministry of Health defended the appointment and stated efforts are underway to stabilize medicine supply chains, as the country's public healthcare system faces renewed scrutiny over shortages affecting patients with chronic illnesses and emergency care needs.

    27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 6 July

  1. China donates P180,000 medical equipment to Botswana

    The Chinese Embassy donated medical equipment worth P180,000 to Botswana's Ministry of Health to strengthen healthcare capacity, including monitors, defibrillators, and syringe pumps. The donation was announced during ceremonies for the 17th and 18th China Medical Teams, alongside new health cooperation initiatives including a hospital partnership and cataract surgery project.

    6 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Chinese medical team's farewell marks partnership milestone

    The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health commended the 17th Chinese Medical Team for improving access to specialised healthcare and strengthening Botswana's health workforce. The team, comprising 28 medical specialists and 11 nurses, provided over 300,000 medical consultations and treatments during its assignment, and was officially replaced by the 18th China medical team.

    6 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Friday 26 June

  1. St. George's University to honour 130 Botswana graduates in Gaborone

    St. George's University will host a ceremony in Gaborone as part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations to recognise over 130 Botswana physicians trained at the institution, many of whom work in the Ministry of Health and private clinical practice.

    26 June 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Motitinti's spoken word artistry preserves Setswana oral traditions

    Dikeletso Nkgaswa, known as Motitinti, is a spoken-word poet whose Setswana performances use vivid imagery and rhythmic language to engage audiences and preserve oral traditions. His poetry journey began in Standard Three at Tshekedi Primary School in 1994, when a schoolteacher encouraged him to perform a Setswana recitation.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 15 June

  1. Opinion: Ministry of Health's blame-shifting over medication shortages

    The Sunday Standard editorial criticizes the Ministry of Health's pattern of blaming others for medication shortages, citing prior accusations against the Central Medical Stores and manufacturers without addressing systemic issues.

    15 June 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Ministry confirms isolated Ebola screening refusals at border

    The Ministry of Health has encountered instances of travellers refusing Ebola screening at Tlokweng Border Post, but says the cases remain isolated and the situation is under control with awareness efforts ongoing.

    10 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Employment and Labour Relations Act takes effect July 2026

    Botswana's new Employment and Labour Relations Act of 2025 will come into force on July 1, 2026, consolidating previously fragmented labour laws into a single framework. The legislation modernizes worker rights, aligns with international standards, limits fixed-term contracts to 12 months unless objectively justified, and requires employers to sign contracts with all employees including domestic and farm workers.

    4 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Ombudsman to brief nation on Ministry of Health response

    Ombudsman Stephen Tiroyakgosi says he will soon brief the nation on the government's response to the health crisis once commitments from the Ministry of Health have been consolidated.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Monday 1 June

  1. Health official warns of rising non-communicable diseases in children

    Dr Christopher Nyanga, Chief public relations officer in the Ministry of Health, attributed increasing diagnoses of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular complications and cancers in children to unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles shaped by technology use.

    1 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 28 May

  1. Botswana intensifies Ebola screening for all incoming travellers

    Botswana's Ministry of Health has introduced new screening measures for all incoming travellers, including temperature checks and screening for Ebola symptoms, with particular focus on those who have visited the DRC, Uganda, or other Ebola-affected areas within the past 21 days. Symptomatic travellers will be isolated and transported to designated health facilities, and the public has been advised to avoid non-essential travel to affected regions and practise strict hygiene measures.

    28 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Sunday 24 May

  1. Botswana faces Ebola importation risk via regional transport routes

    The Ministry of Health has warned of risks of Ebola importation following fresh outbreaks of Bundibugyo Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

    24 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Saturday 16 May

  1. Ministry of Health defends polio vaccination campaign against misinformation

    The Ministry of Health has addressed public concern and misinformation about Botswana's nationwide oral polio vaccination campaign, asserting that the exercise is safe and necessary to strengthen protection against polio.

    16 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Monday 11 May

  1. Ministry of Health responds to Ombudsman's report on public health sector

    The Ministry of Health has submitted a response to the Ombudsman's report on failures in Botswana's public health sector, proposing measures to address the service delivery gaps identified in the report.

    11 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Edison Setlhomo Masizi Memorial Hospital nears completion after delays

    The P457 million, 70-bed Edison Setlhomo Masizi Memorial Hospital is approaching completion after four years of delay beyond its original May 2022 handover date, with construction now reported at 99 percent and equipment arriving, though the project has been marked by poor workmanship including structural defects.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Ministry of Health — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute