Joy Foundation brings Cancer Care to Botswana
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday February 4, 2026 09:17
The hospital promises to bring quality cancer care closer to home for thousands of Batswana. In her speech, Joy Setshedi, Founder of the Joy Foundation, emphasised the importance of investing in people, particularly the youth.
'This project was not easy, but today proves something powerful: impossibilities are made possible,' she said. Setshedi expressed gratitude to partners, supporters, and healthcare professionals who believed in the vision, saying that the hospital will stand as a symbol that Botswana chooses life, compassion, and investing in the health and future of its people.
WHO Country Representative Dr Fabian Ndenzako highlighted the global cancer burden, noting that two-thirds of cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. 'The Joy Foundation Cancer Hospital stands as a powerful response to these challenges,' he said, commending the Foundation's leadership and commitment to improving cancer care.
Minister of Health Stephen Modise praised the Joy Foundation for its vision and dedication, saying, 'This facility represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by cancer patients in Botswana'.
He emphasised the government's commitment to providing an enabling environment for quality healthcare, citing efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage and introduce National Health Insurance.
The cancer hospital is expected to enhance service delivery, create jobs, and contribute to skills development in Botswana's health sector. As Setshedi noted, 'We break cycles of inequality, barriers to care, and plant a promise of healing, hope, and renewed life'.
The event was attended by government officials, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, who praised the Joy Foundation for its tireless efforts to improve cancer care in Botswana. The hospital is set to become a beacon of hope for patients and families affected by cancer, providing access to quality care and support.
The Joy Foundation's vision is aligned with the government's efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen national health infrastructure. As Dr Ndenzako said, 'This hospital will be more than a physical structure – it will be a place of healing, of skilled professionals delivering compassionate care, and of families finding reassurance during difficult moments'.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter in Botswana's healthcare journey, one that prioritises access to quality cancer care for all. As Setshedi said, 'With faith, partnership, and purpose, impossibilities are made possible.'