Botswana ready to host WHO Africa Regional Committee meeting
Botswana is hosting the World Health Organisation ( WHO) Africa Regional Meeting from 28 August to 1 September 2023 in the capital city, Gaborone.
A spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Dr. Christopher Nyanga told Botswana Guardian that the WHO Africa Regional Committee is the WHO’s decision- making body in the region which meets once every year to formulate policies, provide oversight for regional programmes, appreciate progress reports from member states, and deliberate, review and endorse new initiatives with the aim of improving the people’s health and well- being of people.
Dr. Nyanga said that Botswana had expressed interest to host this meeting and that hosting this event will not only put Botswana in the world map but will also bring business to the local economy and market the country’s tourism sector, amongst others. However, impeccable sources have indicated to Botswana Guardian that it was in- fact President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi who lobbied that the meeting come to Botswana as a way to honour WHO Africa Regional Director, Dr. Matshediso Moeti, whose contract is coming to an end.
The Regional Committee is attended by the 47 Member States of the Africa Region including United nations Agencies, Non- Governmental Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, Academia and Development Partners. Therefore, about 500 participants are expected to be physically present at the meeting venue, while others will be connected virtually through the Zoom platform ( including for the opening ceremony), Dr. Nyanga said. Regarding the country’s preparedness to host this huge event, Dr. Nyanga said that the first preparatory meeting where various sub- committees were formed was held in Gaborone on 9 March 2023. The preparatory committee is co- chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Ms Grace Muzila and the WHO Representative to Botswana Dr Josephine Namboze. Subsequent to this, preparations by the various sub- committees are progressing well. Botswana’s progress in preparing for this historic event is therefore, satisfactory. Furthermore, WHO Regional Director Dr. Matshidiso Moeti was in Botswana recently where she also expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far. The programme of the meeting will feature progress made since the last meeting in Lome, Togo and also review some suggested initiatives on the improvement of health and well- bieng of people in Africa.