Boko briefs Dikgosi on public health reforms and SKMTH transition

The president of Botswana laid out a blunt hospital fix plan to chiefs, pushing public takeovers, service shifts, and rural diagnostics without sugarcoating pressure points.

Briefing with traditional leaders

• Duma Boko addressed Dikgosi on public health reforms.
• The focus stayed on access, congestion relief, and system capacity.
• Referral hospitals were flagged as stress zones.
• The Chiefs got a direct policy download, not a ceremony.

Hospital transitions and access

• Duma Boko confirmed Sthat ir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital goes fully public.
• Outpatient care shifts away from Princess Marina Hospital.
• Dialysis moves from Block 8 Clinic to SKMTH.
• Transport permits will support new routes to the hospital.

Diagnostics and surgical pressure

• Duma Boko backed the mobile X-ray rollout to Gumare, Bobonong, and Pandamatenga.
• Rural diagnostics gaps were called unacceptable.
• Orthopaedics at Princess Marina Hospital gets backlog relief.
• Shared theatres and added beds target shorter waits.

Response from Ntlo ya Dikgosi

• Ntlo ya Dikgosi welcomed the engagement.
• Kgosi Malope II praised ongoing consultations.
• Traditional leaders are committed to collaboration.
• Development goals were framed as a shared lane.