Provision of top level health services cannot be achieved without active participation of the private sector, says Melvon Guga, Managing Director of Aviwe Health Care Resource and Training Institute. Speaking at the launch of the first ever Botswana International Nursing Conference (BINC) in Gaborone last week, Guga said the private sector exists to complement the role of governments in providing services to citizens.
“With private sector participation, governments will be able to scale up equitable and universal coverage of quality health services,” he said.
BINC is a joint project between Aviwe, Botswana Nurses union (BONU) and the Ministry of Health. Billed for 4th-6th November 2015, the conference will attract nursing professionals, stakeholders and industry captains from all over Africa, where they will engage through an energizing and informative program of speakers and presenters with the aim of advancing and improving coverage and quality of nursing services.
“This will be a unique international multi-disciplinary platform for all health care professionals in the region. BINC 2015 will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for in-depth exchange of experiences and expertise within and beyond the international nursing community. This dynamic gathering offers a unique opportunity to communicate, align and interact with clinicians, leaders and decision-makers in nursing and health care internationally,” said Guga.
He added that Heads of States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recently met in Botswana at the SADC Summit, where they committed to ensuring that citizens of the region receive the best health care services. Such noble objectives, he said, cannot be achieved without active participation of the private sector. Governments now recognize the private sector as a key player in delivering health services and impacting health outcomes, including those related to healthcare financing, which underscores the need to optimize the role of the private sector in complementing government’s commitment by financing healthcare delivery and strengthening health systems. He said the government of Botswana has invested heavily in building health facilities and urged the private sector to go further by producing skilled and adequately trained health professionals who will manage these facilities and deliver quality health care.
“Governments are also increasingly exploiting the private sector’s capacity by leveraging private resources, innovations and expertise, while working to achieve universal health coverage,” he said.
Aviwe Healthcare Resource & Training Institute is a Botswana based company that provides continuous professional training and consultancy services to the healthcare industry.
