Gov't prioritises early disease detection to curb 'wastage'
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday February 11, 2026 12:19
Finance minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, said this is because the government continues to invest substantial resources in the healthcare system, but the expenditures have not yet translated into commensurate improvements in disease outcomes. Delivering the Budget Speech on Monday, Gaolathe said analysis shows that a significant share of health spending is driven by diseases that are both costly to treat but largely preventable.
Ndaba's remarks come amidst a crippling healthcare system characterised by long-running shortage of drugs in public hospitals and clinics.
'To address this challenge, the government is shifting its health care approach toward a stronger primary healthcare system. By prioritising early detection, timely intervention and effective prevention, primary healthcare should curb the progression of disease, reduce avoidable hospitalisations, ease pressure on secondary and tertiary facilities and lower reliance on specialised care. This shift is expected to improve health outcomes whilst enhancing efficiency and sustainability in healthcare financing,' Gaolathe said.
Further, Gaolathe said the government has embarked on a comprehensive reform programme aimed at transforming the Central Medical Stores (CMS) into a fully modernised, performance-driven organisation in the next financial year. This reform, he said, is expected to reduce government expenditure on medical supplies by 30% to 40% within five years through improved procurement efficiency, digital inventory management, and strategic sourcing.
'The transformation of CMS will significantly strengthen medicine availability, reduce wastage, and enhance the overall resilience of the health system. The legislative process to modernise and strengthen the governance and operating model of the CMS will commence before the end of this financial year,' he explained.
Additionally, Gaolathe, who also doubles as the Vice President, said the government’s long-term strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage and ensure that all Batswana have equitable access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship is underway.
The introduction of National Health Insurance (NHI), he stated, responds to growing pressures on the health system, including rising healthcare costs, changing disease patterns and the need for a more sustainable and predictable health financing model.
'National policy formulation and extensive stakeholder consultations are ongoing. The resulting National Health Insurance Policy will provide the basis for the National Health Insurance Bill, which is scheduled to be tabled during the current Parliamentary sitting. Overall, the NHI programme will be implemented through a phased approach and is expected to reach full operationalisation within approximately three years from the policy formulation stage.
He explained that these reforms are aligned with a broader vision for the future of healthcare, which lies in digital innovation and data-driven decision-making. To that end, Gaolathe said, the government has embarked on transformative reform that leverages digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine, and point-of-care tools to strengthen efficiency and access.
Meanwhile, Gaolathe said the MoH has been allocated the fourth-largest share of the proposed budget amounting to P7.51 billion, representing a 16.4% decline over the current year’s approved budget. He explained that the decline in the ministry’s budget is mainly attributed to the transfer of personnel-related funds to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, following the reassignment of the Primary Health Care function during the 2024 rationalisation of ministerial portfolios. He said the proposed budget will cover essential health sector requirements, including the procurement of drugs, vaccines, laboratory supplies and equipment, as well as medical and surgical equipment. It will also cover the Public Officers’ Medical Aid Scheme and fees for medical specialists. The proposed budget further includes funding for the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency and provision for the establishment of the NHI.