06 Apr 2025

Parliamentary Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS convened with the Ministry of Health to discuss the upcoming launch of the TB Caucus, Botswana Chapter scheduled for April 10 at the Travel Lodge in Gaborone.

In a statement presented to Parliament recently, Mr Motlhaleemang Moalosi, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Health and HIV/AIDS Committee, expressed his support for the initiative, saying it could unite Members of Parliament (MPs) and policy makers in a concerted effort to combat the tuberculosis (TB) crisis in a non-partisan and inclusive manner.

“The caucus is long overdue, considering the milestones achieved by other countries that have long established similar initiatives,” Mr Moalosi said.

He emphasised the severity of the TB impact on global health, noting that it continued to afflict millions and inflicts social and economic repercussions. Botswana, he remarked, has not been immune to the epidemic. Highlighting the significance of World Tuberculosis Day, observed on March 24, Mr Moalosi reiterated the urgent call to action against TB,  highlighting its status as the world’s deadliest infectious disease, which threatened human health.

The MP for Nkange recounted a pivotal agreement made in 2014 when MPs and political leaders signed the Barcelona Declaration on TB, pledging commitment to sustained action and substantial investment in the fight against the disease. He commended all stakeholders dedicated to eradicating the TB epidemic, calling for a unified approach moving forward.

“We further urge Members of Parliament and communities in the villages to come together to commit, invest and deliver more to end TB,” he said.

Mr Moalosi said Parliament supported the Ministry of Health’s intention to carry out TB Prevalence Survey to ascertain the true picture of the disease in Botswana

“Our role as Members of Parliament is to provide an enabling environment through the allocation of funds, for the enactment of laws, policies and projects,” he said.

Mr Moalosi said the committee was calling on the Ministry of Health to always ensure availability of drugs in all health facilities across the country.

“This is critical in maintaining and restoring health and averting resistance of certain drugs on patients,” said Mr Moalosi.

Commenting on the statement, the MP for Tswapong South, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang said Pan-African Parliament was speaking more about the African TB Caucus, which was emphasising that each Parliament must have a caucus fighting TB.

Dr Gobotswang wanted clarity on the membership of the TB Caucus and added that Parliament had passed a Bill on anti-smoking and therefore wanted to establish on whether the Bill was signed into a law and put into use. He said it was worth noting that tobacco smoking was among the leading causes of TB in the world.

In his response, Mr Moalosi said TB Caucus was open to all MPs and not restricted to only those in the Health and HIV/AIDS committee. He said the launch would elaborate on how the TB Caucus would operate. Mr Moalosi said according to the health officials, TB has overtaken HIV and AIDS in mortality, therefore its fight must be taken seriously. ENDS