Ahead of the High-Level Dialogue on Health in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, held in Gaborone Botswana from 5-6 March 2013, four heads of United Nations agencies met with the President of Botswana, Ian Khama to discuss the meeting’s implications to global health.
President Khama said that his country strongly believed in investing in health and other social sectors as a way forward to economic and social development. The President stressed that despite competing priorities, governments should place human resources at the top of their national development agenda. Without a healthy population, all other priorities become void, he added.
In attendance the Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr Margaret Chan, UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake, UNFPA Executive Director, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé.
According to the 2012 UNAIDS Global Report, service coverage in Botswana to prevent new HIV infections among children reached 94% in 2011. Furthermore, by the end of 2011, more than 175 000 people were receiving antiretroviral treatment compared to 57% in 2004—more than 95% of people eligible.
Later in the day, they met with the Vice President of Botswana, Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi, Minister of Health, Rev. Dr John Seakgosing and Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Ontefetse Matambo.
