GABORONE, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Botswana on Wednesday launched a guideline on Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) to mitigate the challenges older people face in accessing health services.
According to Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti, the guideline was developed with support from the Botswana Country Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of efforts to build an inclusive government.
He said the new guideline is part of the government's endeavor to ensure that no one is excluded from benefiting from the country's economy.
"It is, therefore, our commitment as a government to ensure that the implementation of this guideline delivers on this obligation for the health of our older people," said Dikoloti, adding that the government is optimistic that the guidelines will work. "We are confident that the implementation of this guideline will aid our older people in receiving quality health services."
Dikoloti also said the ICOPE guideline will have routine comprehensive assessments for early detection and treatment.
The guideline provides a minimum package for older people to address their health and social needs, which include midlife concerns and challenges related to menopause and andropause, the minister added.
