Botswana’s Ministry of Health has announced the recruitment of nearly 300 health workers by the end of January 2025 in a significant move to alleviate staff shortages in public health facilities.
According to ministry spokesperson Christopher Nyanga, this initiative aims to address the pressing concerns of staff shortages that have been affecting healthcare services across the country.
“From this number, 161 were nurses and midwives, 75 were medical doctors while the balance included other cadres like clinical psychologists, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, medical scientific officers as well as those performing various corporate service functions,” Nyanga said on Tuesday.
Health Minister Stephen Modise and Assistant Minister Lawrence Ookeditse have been actively visiting health facilities across Botswana since November 2024.
During these visits, one of the main concerns raised by staff was the shortage of healthcare workers in their respective workplaces.
Nyanga said the recruitment drive is a direct response to these concerns and aims to improve the overall healthcare delivery system in the country.
He said the ministry has taken proactive steps to fill all existing vacancies to mitigate the shortages in its facilities nationwide. Those who have been absorbed include temporary employees, interns, and graduates.
The ministry has committed to continuing the absorption of more healthcare professionals as vacancies become available.
“It is anticipated that these small steps will eventually help relieve many healthcare workers who have had to be overly stretched on account of staff shortages in their areas,” Nyanga added.
JN/APA