Inside Botswana's Health Year

In clinics, homes and hospital wards, 2025 left a lasting mark on how Batswana experienced healthcare. This year-in-review looks at the breakthroughs, setbacks and quiet resilience that defined the country’s health story over the past 12 months.A Generation Protected This year, Botswana became the first country in the world to earn the World Health Organization’s Gold Tier certification for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV , a milestone decades in the making.Health workers say the achievement reflects trust built at clinic level, where early testing, consistent treatment and follow-up care have become routine for expectant mothers. While celebrations followed the announcement, officials stressed that prevention efforts must continue to protect future generations.When Medicines Ran Out For many patients managing chronic illness, 2025 was a year of anxiety and uncertainty. In August, President Duma Boko declared a national public health emergency after clinics and hospitals began running out of essential medicines, disrupting treatment for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and TB.Some patients were forced to postpone care or seek costly alternatives, exposing the fragility of the country’s medicine supply chain. Government responded with emergency distribution measures and announced reforms aimed at preventing future shortages, but the episode left a lasting impression on public confidence in the system.Malaria and Childhood Illnesses Unusually heavy rains brought more than green landscapes in 2025 ,they also fueled a rise in malaria cases in several districts. Health teams moved quickly, intensifying spraying, testing and community education to protect vulnerable populations. At the same time, outbreaks of hand-foot-and-mouth disease among young children reminded parents and schools of the importance of hygiene and early reporting. Though most cases were mild, the episodes underscored how quickly infections can spread and how vital prevention remains.The Promise of National Health Insurance Conversations about healthcare costs became more personal in 2025 as government advanced plans for National Health Insurance (NHI). Stakeholder consultations began, raising hopes that the scheme could one day reduce out-of-pocket expenses and ensure more equitable access to care. Engagements held this week included kgotla meetings,Full Council sessions, District/ Urban Development Committees and health sector consultations. Areas covered so far included Charleshill District, Ghanzi District, Hukuntsi District, Mabutsane District, Boteti District, Serowe District, Mahalapye District, Kweneng District, Selibe Town city of Francistown, North East District and Bobirwa District.The final consultations will continue next week as the Ministry reaches additional districts left across the country.For families who struggle to afford private services or travel long distances for treatment, NHI represents a promise though experts cautionthat careful planning will determine whether it delivers on that hope.Digital Health Takes Root From remote consultations to electronic patient records, digital health innovations edged closer to everyday reality in 2025. Pilot telemedicine programmes allowed some patients to access specialist advice without long journeys, easing pressure on referral hospitals.Health officials say technology could be a game-changer for rural communities if infrastructure and training keep pace. For now, the pilots offer a glimpse of a more connected health system.Mental Health in Focus Mental health emerged as a growing public health concern in 2025, with the Ministry of Health reporting that about 43,000 people in Botswana are living with mental illness. The data, released around World Mental Health Day, highlighted both the scale of the challenge and the need for earlier intervention and wider access to care. According to the Ministry, men account for 52.4 percent of reported cases, while 47.6 percent are women. The most commonly diagnosed conditions include schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and substance and alcohol abuse. Of particular concern, health authorities noted that an average of about 300 suicide cases are reported annually, underscoring the urgency of strengthening prevention and support systems.Global Help, Local Lessons International partnerships played a visible role during a challenging year. Emergency medical supplies from abroad helped cushion shortages, while long-standing collaborations including foreign medical teams continued supporting local health services. Yet 2025 also sparked reflection as global funding becomes less certain, strengthening domestic systems has emerged as a national priority to protect health gains won over decades.

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Inside Botswana's Health Year