1. Following the Budget Speech by Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, BONELA welcomes the government’s renewed focus on healthcare and the promise to improve access to health services for all. Despite the Ministry of Health receiving the fourth largest share of the proposed budget at P8.98 billion, we are encouraged by the government’s commitment to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing essential healthcare services.

2. In his address, Mr. Gaolathe acknowledged the challenges in the current funding model and emphasized the government’s plan to transition towards a comprehensive National Health Insurance scheme. This new approach is aimed at improving efficiency, addressing gaps in service delivery and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all.

3. The budget outlines key short-term interventions to enhance healthcare services, including:

3.1 Restructuring Central Medical Stores to improve access to essential medicines and diagnostic tools.

3.2 Investing in the maintenance and upgrading of health facilities and medical equipment.

3.3 Strengthening primary healthcare services to reduce dependency on costly tertiary care.

3.4 Training health professionals to build a workforce that meets the country’s evolving healthcare needs.

3.5 Positioning Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital as a center of excellence for specialized care and medical training.

4. The government’s long term strategy focuses on achieving universal health coverage through a mandatory National Health Insurance scheme. This plan will be supported by a digital transformation of the health sector to improve service delivery and ensure greater efficiency. Additionally, investments will be made in public education and human resource development to create a resilient healthcare system that meets the needs of all.

5. Infrastructure development is key to expanding access to health services. The proposed budget includes the construction of primary hospitals in Tsabong, Tonota, and Shoshong, as well as the maintenance and upgrading of existing health facilities across the country. These efforts will ensure that rural and remote communities have access to quality healthcare services.

6. The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of health system preparedness. The government’s proposed investments in technical capacity, as well as bilateral and multilateral partnerships, will strengthen the country’s ability to respond to future health emergencies.

7. BONELA applauds the government’s recognition that health is central to the nation’s development and its willingness to make critical reforms. We are optimistic that these efforts will lead to a more accessible, equitable and efficient health system for all. While these commitments are promising, they must be matched with sustained action and continuous engagement with civil society to ensure inclusivity and responsiveness.

BONELA stands ready to collaborate with the government to monitor progress and offer our expertise in advocating for the most vulnerable populations.
For more information, contact

BONELA on:
Cindy Kelemi at cindyk@bonela.org or 72385054
Katlego Sechele at ksechele@bonela.org or 72282025