Botswana approves eHealth system
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday September 5, 2023 06:00
This statement was made at the recently concluded 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Gaborone on Friday. Following the decision, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr Onalenna Seitio-Kgokgwe highlighted that Botswana noted with satisfaction that the utilisation of eHealth systems aligns with the regional Framework for Implementing the Global Strategy on Digital Health, which was approved during the 71st session of the Regional Committee for Africa in 2021.
This framework calls upon member states to establish multisectoral institutional arrangements for the implementation of digital health, develop digital health strategies, cultivate mature digital health systems, and prepare a digital health-ready workforce.
“On the development and implementation of eHealth policies, Botswana wishes to applaud the efforts of the Secretariat for the RC63 (2013) resolution, which recommended strengthening leadership and coordination for eHealth and making the necessary investments in eHealth infrastructure and services,” she said. “We note that the implementation of the Botswana Health Data Collaborative Roadmap and the eHealth Strategy (2020–2024) have resulted in a multi-sectoral approach to strengthening the Health Information Systems and Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Botswana.” Furthermore, she mentioned the establishment of the Digital Health Technical Working Group and the Digitalisation of Health Services Project Team, developed in partnership with the WHO and other stakeholders, to oversee eHealth systems governance and adoption.
Notably, significant strides have been made in implementing key digital health projects, including the Health Information Exchange (HIE), the expansion of the District Health Information System (DHIS2), the Centralised Electronic Medical Record (EMR), and the National Health Data Warehouse. Addressing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), Seitio-Kgokgwe underscored its role in transforming health data into actionable insights and personalising healthcare on a larger scale. She also commended the WHO Secretariat for its support in implementing AI and strengthening the enabling environment. In addition to this, she expressed Botswana's appreciation for the support provided in the implementation of electronic medical records and health information systems, acknowledging their significant contribution to improving health outcomes. Concluding the WHO (RC73) session, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO AFRO regional director, emphasised that discussions and negotiations regarding the pandemic treaty and international health regulations were at the forefront of the meeting. She urged members not to be distracted by misinformation and to maintain their focus on vital health issues.
“We take seriously ongoing misinformation about these two processes, and I urge you not to be distracted and to continue to focus on the issues that matter most for health in Africa. This month, during the UN General Assembly, we also have three high-level meetings on crucial health issues: universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness and response, and tuberculosis. I encourage all our member states to make the most of the opportunities offered by these meetings to raise key issues relevant to our region,” she said.