Botswana has stressed the importance of expanding palliative care services, calling for its greater integration into the national health system to ensure that no patient is left behind in accessing compassionate and comprehensive treatment.
Speaking at the 5th African Ministers of Health Session on Palliative Care held in Gaborone this week, the Acting Minister of health Lawrence Ookeditse emphasised that palliative care must be seen as a core part of universal health coverage, particularly as the country faces rising cases of non-communicable diseases, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other life-limiting conditions.
Ookeditse stressed that palliative care in Botswana has grown steadily over the past decade, with partnerships between government, civil society, and international organisations helping to establish community-based programs, training initiatives, and awareness campaigns. However, gaps remain in coverage, funding, and human resources,
“We cannot afford to treat palliative care as an optional service. It is a right, a necessity, and a moral obligation for all who are living with serious illnesses,” said Ookeditse.
He highlighted key achievements in palliative care improvements as: expansion of hospital-based palliative care units in Gaborone and Francistown, training programs for nurses, social workers, and community caregivers, integration of palliative care into HIV and cancer treatment programs and ongoing advocacy for policy alignment with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
Despite these advances, he said, challenges persist. He singled out shortages of trained professionals, limited opioid availability for pain management, and a lack of sustainable financing mechanisms continue to hinder broader implementation as some of the many challenges being experienced. Therefore, the forum called on policymakers to prioritise palliative care in the upcoming health sector reforms and urged development partners to scale up technical and financial support. Meanwhile, civil society representatives also emphasised the cultural and community aspects of palliative care, noting that traditional caregiving networks remain crucial in reaching rural and underserved populations.
Even so, Botswana plans to strengthen legislation to support access to essential medicines for pain relief, expand community-based care models, and improve public awareness about the importance of palliative care for dignity in health and death. The county has envisaged a future where all people live well and die with dignity when their time comes.
