A psychiatric service to the remote areas of Botswana

A psychiatric service was provided to the remote areas of Botswana by means of regular visits from psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses to the primary care facilities in those areas. The service was well used by the local health workers and general populations and encountered a substantial psychiatric morbidity. Studies in one region indicated that by using the primary care staff as case finders a substantial proportion of a total likely population of schizophrenic and epileptic patients could be bought into treatment. The specific conditions that enabled this service to become established are discussed.