Grenada alumni drive impact across Botswana’s health sector
Dr Phuswane Katse | Wednesday May 27, 2026 08:50
Their presence is not concentrated in one place. It is spread across hospitals, public health programs, private practice, and increasingly, in spaces where healthcare meets everyday life. What connects them is not only where they studied, but how that experience continues to shape the way they work.
Dr. Orapeleng Phuswane-Katse represents one side of that impact. Her decision to study medicine was driven by a clear desire to help people, but her work today extends far beyond individual patient care.
“From early on, I knew I wanted to help people, but over time I’ve come to understand that impact goes beyond individual patients, it’s about building systems that reach everyone, no matter where they are.”
Within Botswana’s public health system, she operates at a population level, overseeing programs that address child health, immunization, HIV, tuberculosis, and other priority areas.
Her role is as much about coordination and design as it is about medicine itself, working across systems to improve how care is delivered and accessed. It is the kind of work that requires both technical knowledge and the ability to navigate complex, real-world challenges.
That broader perspective, she has noted, was shaped in part by her time at SGU, where learning alongside students from different countries and backgrounds reinforced the importance of adaptability and collaboration. Returning home, for her, was not a question of whether she would return, but when. he intention was always to apply that experience within Botswana.
A similar thread runs through the work of Dr. Thuto G. Victor, though his focus plays in a different space. Based in Gaborone, he works as a general and occupational medical practitioner, while also building a strong presence in preventive health.
Through Move4Health, a platform he founded, Dr. Victor is addressing one of the country’s most pressing challenges: the rise of non-communicable diseases. His work is rooted in a simple idea that health outcomes are shaped long before people enter a clinic.
His initiatives include free health screenings, workplace wellness programs, and large-scale step challenges designed to encourage movement and healthier daily routines. The approach is practical and accessible, built around behavior change rather than medical intervention alone.
“Most of what we’re dealing with now isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about how people live every day,” he says. “If we can get people moving, eating better, and paying attention to their health early, we change the outcome before they ever walk into a clinic.”
It is an approach that reflects a wider shift in Botswana’s healthcare landscape. As conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer become more common, the system is being pushed to respond not only through treatment, but through prevention and long-term management.
What is emerging is a different understanding of the doctor’s role, one that extends beyond diagnosis and care into education, advocacy, and community engagement. For many SGU-trained professionals, this way of thinking can be traced back to their training. Exposure to multiple healthcare systems, patient populations, and clinical environments creates a broader frame of reference, one that does not disappear once they return home.
Instead, it shows up in how they approach problems, how they design solutions, and how they position themselves within the system. In Botswana, that influence is becoming increasingly visible. It can be seen in national programs that prioritize prevention, in community initiatives that bring healthcare closer to people, and in a growing network of alumni who continue to support and mentor those entering the field.
As Botswana’s healthcare needs continue to evolve, SGU-trained doctors are playing an important role in strengthening the system. From public health to clinical care and community initiatives, their work reflects the value of a global medical education applied to local challenges.
For these alumni, their training at SGU continues to shape how they practice, lead, and respond to the country’s growing health demands. Their journey is not just about returning home, but about bringing back the skills and perspective needed to support the future of healthcare in Botswana.