22 March 2026
Government has taken a major step towards improving healthcare access following the National Validation Workshop for the Draft National Health Insurance (NHI) Policy recently held at Ave Maria Hotel in Gaborone.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Health Dr Stephen Modise highlighted that the NHI is a key reform aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring that every Motswana has access to affordable, quality healthcare.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges in the health sector, including long waiting times, limited resources, and unequal access to healthcare services. He emphasised that these issues continue to affect many citizens, particularly those without medical aid.
The Minister explained that the NHI will pool resources nationally, promote fairness through cross-subsidisation, and improve efficiency in service delivery.
The policy will also strengthen infrastructure, support healthcare workers, and improve the availability of medicines.
Minister Modise further noted that the scheme will be compulsory, while allowing private medical aid schemes to operate alongside it. The workshop brought together key stakeholders to review and refine the draft policy, ensuring it is inclusive and aligned with national needs. Once validated, the policy will guide the development of the NHI Bill to be presented before Parliament.
Dr Modise called on all participants to actively contribute, stressing that the decisions made will shape the future of healthcare in Botswana. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a health system that is equitable, accessible, and sustainable for all citizens.
Source: BWGovernment Facebook page
