Global health diplomacy: Provision of specialist medical services in the Republic of Botswana

• Published in: The surgeon (Edinburgh) 2022-08, Vol.20 (4), p.258-261
• Main Authors: Thokwane, Karabo, Baines, Lyndsay S., Mehjabeen, Deena, Jindal, Rahul M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diplomacy; Faith based humanitarian missions; Global health diplomacy; High income countries; Low and middle income countries; Non-governmental organizations; Republic of Botswana
• ISSN: 1479-666X; 2405-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2021.04.011

Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) can be defined as the convergence between public health and international affairs. The following case report demonstrates the impact of “brain drain” on provision of specialist medical services in Botswana, a middle-income country in Southern Africa and how GHD is being used to address the challenge. Botswana's priorities include the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 which are embedded within the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) strategy. MOHW strategies include access to health services, reduction in the cost of referral of specialist services, and strengthening primary health care (PHC), which is the vehicle for attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Botswana has, in the past tried to bridge this gap through strategic partnerships with private institutions and bilateral treaties with other states such as the Republic of Cuba and the People's Republic of China. In the private sector, the Ministry has partnered with Indus Medical Group, and a range of private medical institutions both in-country and outside the country. However, challenges experienced with previous partnerships were that the objectives were more service-driven than capacity building, which proved to be unsustainable. The case report outlines the negotiation process between the Government of Botswana represented by MOHW, and St. Paul Medical Missions, a religion-based NGO from Egypt. It demonstrated the importance of all actors and countries being clear on their health priorities at the start of negotiations. GHD is a relatively new concept that can be explored by countries in forming durable partnerships. •Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) is the intersection of public health and foreign affairs.•We report our experience of GHD with a faith based NGO in the Republic of Botswana.•It demonstrated the importance of all actors being clear on their priorities at the onset.•We emphasize partnerships that are capacity building vs. service driven.