The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently partnered with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) to develop the Integrated Community Service Delivery Guideline to strengthen Botswana’s community health structure. The United States government funded the total cost for the guideline development process from 2016 to 2020, valued at $190,000.
The U.S. government has long supported the advancement of community health services in Botswana in order to effectively complement the public services and help target hard-to-reach populations. USAID’s assistance with the development of the guideline helps the MoHW optimize services to reach these populations. Through its implementing partner, FHI 360, and PEPFAR funding, USAID supported the MoHW to develop the guideline as a tool for health care professionals who implement community-based health care services.
The guideline offers a coordinated platform where implementers can provide a standardized and integrated minimum package of community-based health services. With the changing patterns in burden of disease, longer life spans, and potential global economic uncertainties, Botswana’s future health depends on a stronger community health system tailored to optimally complement the country’s health sector and effectively fill gaps in service delivery through the community.
The specific objectives of the guideline are:
- Improve the delivery of integrated community-based health interventions through provision of a standardized minimum package;
- Strengthen coordination and management of community-based health services through harmonized community health workers’ groups, leadership, and governance;
- Strengthen Community Health Worker competencies and skill mix for delivery of integrated community-based health services;
- Strengthen information management for integrated community-based health services.
The guideline will benefit various actors and stakeholders including community health workers, policymakers, managers, Ministries responsible for managing and implementing community-based health services, and Civil Society Organizations directly engaged in the provision of community health services.
For additional information, please contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office at 373-2419 or PASGaborone@state.gov.
