The basic health care system in Botswana: a study of the distribution and cost in the period 1973-1979

Since 1973 Botswana has developed its basic health service with an extensive network of clinics and health posts staffed with nurses, health assistants and Family Welfare Educators (11 weeks training in preventive medicine). In 1977 it was estimated that 80% of the population lived within 15km of either a health post or a clinic. In the study period the annual number of new registered outpatient diagnosis per inhabitant increased from 0.65 to 1.50, but even after the heavy investment in the rural areas the annual number of visits per rural inhabitant, was in 1979, 0.8 compared to 2.8 in the urban areas. In 1979 the per capita health expenditure was US+18.7, of which the basic health service accounted for US+8.8. The relationship between Botswana's basic health service and a primary health care system as described in the Declaration of Alma Ata is discussed.