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University of Botswana through the Department of Environmental Health donated a sum of P15 000 to the Diabetes association of Botswana. The fundraising exercise was spearheaded by the Environmental Health class 221, 2023 as part of their semester assessment as well as an effort to instil the spirit of giving back to the community. Diabetes association of Botswana was presented with the donation at the 12th UB Annual Walk and Health Fair.

On receiving the donation, Diabetes Association of Botswana Deputy Chairperson, Dr Charles Muyela, said the funds would assist them at the upcoming Children with Diabetes Camp. He added that there was an alarming number of children suffering from diabetes who needed care of which they were often financially crippled to do so.

Health Fair Coordinator and Head of School of Public Health at the University of Botswana, Professor Bontle Mbongwe, expressed delight at the student’s commitment to the initiative and for organising the fair. She further said the students were at Level 2 of their study programme which was commendable. University of Botswana staff and the Health Fair Stakeholder committee also contributed some funds.

The UB Walk and Health Fair is an annual event that aims to engage with the community, bringing together various stake holders through partnerships to sensitize the public on various health issues.  The day commenced with a 10km walk from the University of Botswana to the Gaborone Main Mall.

It was graced by the Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris and other dignitaries from the World Health Organization and National Health and Promotion Agency, among others.

The fair adopts themes annually and this year the theme was ‘’One Health, Creating Synergy between Humans, Animals and the Environment for better health outcomes”.

Commenting on the theme, WHO Cluster Lead for Health Promotion and Social Determinates of Health, Mr Moagi Gaborone, stated that One Health was an integrated, unifying approach that aimed to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.

“Humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment are closely linked and interdependent and therefore require collaborative actions across sectors, nations and the world,” added Mr Gaborone.

Consequently, the Environmental Health Class 221 students presented educational posters as part of the semester assessment that addressed the issue of One health. They will later be graded for their submissions.

Various health services such as Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) screening and health testing were provided for free to the public.