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Inter-Ministerial Policy Dialogue Meeting in Phakalane Hotel, Gaborone, Botswana

Date: 15-18 April 2024

Inset: Front row from left to right: Ms. Galeboe Mokoto, Principal Finance Officer, Ministry of Finance; Dr. Pamela Smith-Lawrence, Senior Consultant, Primary Healthcare (PHC) in the Ministry of Health; Mr. Moses Keetile, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Ms. Marlene Nkete, Palladium; and Ms. Sylvia Ayon, AERC. In the back row are officers from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance, as well as two AERC Consultants.

The Botswana Interministerial Meeting is currently ongoing in Gaborone, hosted by AERC at the Phakalane Hotel, with support from PROPEL Health (Promoting Results and Outcomes through Policy and Economic Levers). PROPEL Health is a five-year project funded by USAID and awarded to Palladium, which is implementing it in collaboration with AERC. The project aims to improve the enabling environment for equitable and sustainable health services, supplies, and delivery systems. Stakeholders present include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, Palladium, and two facilitators from the University of Botswana and the University of Nairobi.

As the core implementing partner for PROPEL Health, AERC leverages its experience and network across Africa to strengthen capacity in using evidence for decision-making, enhance policy dialogue between economic and health decision-makers, and conduct training workshops to apply economic and fiscal policy analysis to health policy decisions.

The meeting commenced with Opening Remarks from Dr. Abbi Kedir, the Acting Executive Director of AERC, emphasizing the importance of focusing on building health systems rather than reacting to crises. Mr. Moses Keetile, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, highlighted the significance of prioritizing primary healthcare (PHC) delivery, especially in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Botswana’s commitment to health sector financing, particularly in PHC, sets a commendable example.

Inset: The ministry of health and ministry of finance hold separate round table interactive discussions on how to collaborate and how the collaboration can be strengthened

The Inter-Ministerial Policy Dialogue aims to improve resource mobilization, allocation, and utilization for better PHC outcomes. It focuses on strengthening PHC financing and health outcomes by raising awareness and enhancing collaboration between the ministries of finance and health.

The meeting is a crucial step in developing a sustainable PHC financing model and has received support from facilitators from the University of Nairobi and the University of Botswana. Their involvement demonstrates a sustainable model for engaging academia in policy development, which will lead to improved understanding and economic development.