Okavango District has recorded zero maternal deaths in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, covering October, November, and December.
In his opening speech at the full council meeting earlier this week, the Okavango Council Chairperson Gaopalelwe Ronald said the zero maternal mortality rate, along with full participation in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission services, reflects improved health systems in the district. He credited better maternal monitoring, mobile clinic outreach, and community awareness campaigns for the achievement.
Ronald noted that more expectant mothers are attending antenatal care early, often during the first trimester. This allows healthcare workers to detect problems early and provide timely support. Skilled birth attendance remains high at health facilities, and postnatal visits within 48 hours of delivery have been strengthened to ensure both mothers and babies are healthy.
He added that immunisation coverage for infants continues to be strong, while efforts to monitor maternal nutrition and anaemia levels are ongoing, especially in remote villages. “These improvements show that primary healthcare services in the district are becoming stronger,” he said.
Despite the progress, Ronald acknowledged that ambulance shortages and logistical challenges still affect service delivery in some hard-to-reach areas. During the full council session, Deputy Council Secretary for Primary Health Care, Dr. Bakwena Moali, said access to remote villages remains difficult during the rainy season when roads are flooded or damaged. She added that the lack of vehicles sometimes prevents frequent mobile clinic visits, affecting the consistency of care.
Both Ronald and Dr. Moali stressed that continued community support, awareness campaigns, and improvements in infrastructure are essential to maintain the gains in maternal health and ensure safe pregnancies and deliveries across the district.
Meanwhile, malaria remains a concern due to Okavango’s wetland terrain and high mosquito density. The district recently completed Indoor Residual Spraying in all targeted villages, though the campaign was extended by a month due to rainfall disruptions. In addition, newly introduced mosquito spatial repellent devices are being installed household-to-household to reduce human-mosquito contact.
Botswana’s malaria elimination goal for 2027, championed by President Duma Boko, adds urgency to local interventions. Ronald urged village authorities to encourage residents to adopt preventive practices such as sleeping under mosquito nets, keeping surroundings clean, and wearing protective clothing during peak mosquito hours. Pregnant women and young children remain most vulnerable to malaria complications, including severe anaemia and premature birth.
