Gaborone, Botswana - 07 August 2019: This morning, the Minister of Health and Wellness Honourable Dr Alfred Madigele welcomed Dr Josephine Namboze, the new WHO Representative to Botswana. Minister Madigele intimated that he was happy to meet and welcome Dr Namboze, whose reputation preceded her. The Minister indicated that he had been told of the great achievements and successes that Dr Namboze had in Eritrea. He said he was confident that the attributes she used will help in addressing the country’s challenges pertaining to the double burden of communicable and Non-communicable diseases, amidst efforts of implementing the ministry’s restructuring and primary health care revitalization process. He explained that the restructuring entailed strengthening districts to provide quality health services whereas the Ministry headquarters focuses on policy, strategic leadership and oversight. Honourable Madigele also indicated that the country is moving focus on other areas of need beyond HIV/AIDS, with the later having consumed inordinate resources over a long period of time. He was however happy to iterate that the country is getting closer to achieving HIV/AIDS epidemic control by 2030.

Earlier, Dr Namboze had thanked Honourable Madigele for interrupting his busy schedule to accommodate and welcome her. She told the Minister that she was honoured to serve in Botswana and looked forward to a fruitful working relationship. Dr Namboze indicated that she has over 25 years of public health experience covering a variety of settings. She vowed to call on all this experience and expertise to make a meaningful contribution to Botswana’s health and development agenda. She asked the Minister to accord her another opportunity to discuss the finer details of collaboration going forward.

Minister Madigele was accompanied by the Assistant Minister Honourable Lelatisitswe, acting Permanent Secretary Mr Moses Keetile, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Health Services Dr Morrison Sinvula, Director of Health Services Dr Malaki Tshipayage, Health Services Advisor Dr Mareko Ramotsababa, Director of Health Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation Dr Kalenga and Head of Partnerships Mr Treasure Mothobi.

Dr Namboze was accompanied by NPO/Health Information and Promotion Mr Moagi Gaborone and NPO/Malaria Ms Kentse Moakofhi. In the end Dr Namboze presented her credentials to Honourable Madigele. They agreed to meet monthly to take stock, strategize and lead from a position of strength.