UB and FERDI Collaborate to Enhance Health Economics for Better Healthcare
The University of Botswana (UB) in collaboration with the Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI) based in France, is proud to contribute to a well-functioning health system that works in harmony.
This was said by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Ishmael Kasvosve during a three-day Workshop on Health Economics Training held at the University of Botswana on the 10th of June 2024.
“We take pride as an institution of higher learning to actively take part in developing a trained and motivated health workforce towards an efficient health sector in Botswana,” said Professor Kasvosve.
He emphasised that health economics focuses on making healthcare more equitable, accessible, and affordable for everyone, as outlined in the Botswana National Health Policy, "Towards a Healthier Botswana" of 2011.
The policy further stipulates six (6) core components of health system building blocks which include: leadership and governance, service delivery, health system financing, health workforce, medical products, vaccines and technologies and health information systems.
Consequently, Professor Kasvosve express excitement that participants of the workshop would learn more about the important role that economics played in shaping healthcare systems and policies.
“Throughout this training, you will have the opportunity to explore key concepts in health economics, such as cost-effectiveness analysis, health financing, and the impact of healthcare policies on patient outcomes,” he observed.
He indicated that the goal was to provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary for them to make informed decisions that would ultimately improve the delivery of healthcare services in Botswana.
The workshop is a sequel to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the UB and FERDI. The objective of the MoU is to organise joint academic and scientific activities, such as short and long courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, symposia and/or lectures.
Professor Kasvosve observed that the School of Public Health, which is the focal point for this collaboration, organised the first training in 2022, where 20 participants from the Ministry of Health (MoH) attended a three-week module on Health Economics.
He said the programme covered methods for evaluation, innovations, cost-effectiveness assessment for medical decisions, and strategic management and economics for better healthcare.