News

In the quest to tackle the Non – Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the University of Botswana (UB) School of Nursing students recently embarked on a community outreach initiative at the Block 8 Customary Court in Gaborone. This was part of of their undergraduate community health nursing course.

A module on the nursing course requires students to conduct research on key areas that affect the community in which they exist and are expected to come up with solutions for the community. Over 100 Block 8 residents actively participated in this initiative, demonstrating the community's eagerness to prioritise health and well-being.

Highlighting the significance of the community outreach exercise, Professor Nthabiseng Phaladze, a Lecturer at the School of Nursing, observed that the initiative brought essential services directly to the people.

“This is actually what we talk about in Primary Health Care. It is about reducing the costs on people. This is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals Three (3), where we talk about universal health coverage,” she underscored.

Through collaboration with other stakeholders such as the National Blood Transfusion Service, Cancer Association of Botswana, Nephrology Society of Botswana and others, students conducted a series of essential tests aimed at early detection and prevention of NCDs.

Among the tests conducted werehypertension screenings and tuberculosis checks, pivotal steps in identifying health concerns before they escalate. Furthermore, the exercise went beyond diagnostics through interactive sessions and one-on-one discussions. The students fostered a sense of empowerment among participants, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to take charge of their health.