https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250216/botswana-to-use-multivariate-approach-to-tackle-its-health-challenges-countrys-president-says-1070683615.html
Botswana to Use 'Multivariate' Approach to Tackle Its Health Challenges, Country's President Says
Botswana to Use 'Multivariate' Approach to Tackle Its Health Challenges, Country's President Says
Sputnik Africa
Duma Boko is the sixth president of Botswana, having taken office on November 1, 2024. Since 2012, he has been the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic... 16.02.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-02-16T18:06+0100
2025-02-16T18:06+0100
2025-02-17T18:21+0100
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botswana
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One of the main elements of the government's approach to tackling Botswana's health problems involves enhancing information dissemination and sensitization to educate the public and reinforce positive health behaviors, Botswana's President Duma Boko told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the 38th African Union Summit.The Umbrella of Democratic Change (UDC) is committed to ensuring universal access to high-quality healthcare, as this will allow citizens to receive prompt and effective medical care. The president said that these efforts would contribute to a rapid reduction in infant mortality, citing examples of preventable deaths due to delayed responses.Boko expressed confidence in the Ministry of Health's current efforts in addressing these critical challenges.'Sheet Anchor' of Botswana's Foreign PolicyWhen discussing how the importance of diversifying the economy fits into Botswana's foreign policy, the president emphasized that the country's focus on diversifying its economy is the "very sheet anchor" of its foreign policy.He noted that Botswana's foreign policy aims to promote sustainable, long-term partnerships that bring in expertise, skills, and resources to develop sectors beyond the diamond industry.Boko highlighted two key engines of growth for Botswana: the green economy and the digital economy.He noted that achieving Botswana's green economy goals requires foreign direct investment in renewable energy sources and climate-smart agriculture, with ecotourism also being a priority. Similarly, developing the digital economy will necessitate international cooperation, expertise, skills, and resources, Boko added.Emphasizing the need for lasting partnerships to achieve Botswana's economic goals, Boko stated that international cooperation drives the nation's foreign policy, fostering collaborations and links for necessary resources and scale.He also said that Botswana is open to financial cooperation with any country that serves its best interests, including Russia. The president said that Botswana's diplomatic relations with countries that have strong financial ecosystems provide a strong foundation for potential cooperation.Fighting Malaria: Open to Studying USSR's ExperienceAs head of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Boko is open to learning from the USSR's successful malaria eradication efforts of the 1920s. He highlighted the importance of data-driven strategies in combating the disease.Drawing inspiration from successful examples worldwide is a key aspect of ALMA's approach, Boko stated.Sputnik Enters Botswana, a Country Committed to Freedom of ExpressionBoko also expressed his support for Russian media diversifying Botswana's media landscape. The announcement comes as Sputnik Africa launches weekly programs on Gabz FM.The president emphasized Botswana's commitment to freedom of expression and the importance of citizens having access to unfiltered information.Boko stated that the government should not adopt paternalistic approaches but rather allow citizens to access information in a "great marketplace of ideas." He welcomed any media outlet that enters the country, expressing hope that they will disseminate accurate and verifiable information to empower citizens to make informed decisions.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250216/botswanas-president-calls-for-multifaceted-approach-to-combating-malaria-1070682106.html
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botswana, politics, southern africa, duma boko, russia, soviet union (ussr), sputnik africa, malaria, domestic policy, policy, foreign policy, geopolitics, finance, economy, media
botswana, politics, southern africa, duma boko, russia, soviet union (ussr), sputnik africa, malaria, domestic policy, policy, foreign policy, geopolitics, finance, economy, media
Botswana to Use 'Multivariate' Approach to Tackle Its Health Challenges, Country's President Says
18:06 16.02.2025 (Updated: 18:21 17.02.2025) Ekaterina Shilova
Writer / Editor
Exclusive
Duma Boko is the sixth president of Botswana, having taken office on November 1, 2024. Since 2012, he has been the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change. He previously served as Leader of the Opposition from 2014 to 2019.
One of the main elements of the government's approach to tackling Botswana's
health problems involves enhancing information dissemination and sensitization to educate the public and reinforce positive health behaviors,
Botswana's President Duma Boko told
Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the 38th African Union Summit
.The Umbrella of Democratic Change (UDC) is committed to ensuring universal access to high-quality healthcare, as this will allow citizens to receive prompt and effective medical care. The president said that these efforts would contribute to a rapid reduction in infant mortality, citing examples of preventable deaths due to delayed responses.
Boko expressed confidence in the Ministry of Health's current efforts in addressing these critical challenges.
'Sheet Anchor' of Botswana's Foreign Policy
When discussing how the importance of diversifying the
economy fits into Botswana's foreign policy, the president emphasized that the country's focus on diversifying its economy is the "very sheet anchor" of its foreign policy.
He noted that Botswana's foreign policy aims to promote sustainable, long-term partnerships that bring in expertise, skills, and resources to develop sectors beyond the diamond industry.
Boko highlighted two key engines of growth for Botswana: the green economy and the digital economy.
"We are looking at renewable sources of energy, and we have set ourselves the lofty and ambitious target. In the budget speech, it says we must have 30% of our energy coming from renewables by 2030. But it is more ambitious than that. In fact, we are looking to have 50% of our energy coming from renewables, and we are working hard on that," the president said.
He noted that achieving Botswana's green economy goals requires foreign direct investment in
renewable energy sources and climate-smart agriculture, with ecotourism also being a priority. Similarly, developing the digital economy will necessitate international cooperation, expertise, skills, and resources, Boko added.
Emphasizing the need for lasting partnerships to achieve Botswana's economic goals, Boko stated that international cooperation drives the nation's foreign policy, fostering collaborations and links for necessary resources and scale.
He also said that Botswana is open to financial cooperation with any country that serves its best interests, including Russia. The president said that Botswana's diplomatic relations with countries that have strong financial ecosystems provide a strong foundation for potential cooperation.
Fighting Malaria: Open to Studying USSR's Experience
As head of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Boko is open to learning from the USSR's successful malaria eradication efforts of the 1920s. He highlighted the importance of data-driven strategies in combating the
disease.
Drawing inspiration from successful examples worldwide is a key aspect of ALMA's approach, Boko stated.
"Because of the relationship that currently exists between us and the Russian Federation, we are most delighted if they can come onboard and deploy their learnings to enable us to be malaria-free in the shortest possible time," the president stated.
Sputnik Enters Botswana, a Country Committed to Freedom of Expression
Boko also expressed his support for Russian media diversifying Botswana's media landscape. The announcement comes as
Sputnik Africa launches weekly programs on Gabz FM.
The president emphasized Botswana's commitment to freedom of expression and the importance of citizens having access to unfiltered information.
Boko stated that the government should not adopt paternalistic approaches but rather allow citizens to access information in a "great marketplace of ideas."
He welcomed any
media outlet that enters the country, expressing hope that they will disseminate accurate and verifiable information to empower citizens to make informed decisions.
