The Ministry of Health in Botswana has welcomed its newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Dr Neo Tapela, as staff gathered for a meet-and-greet session focused on leadership, teamwork and the future of the health sector. The session provided an opportunity for employees to formally welcome Dr Tapela and hear directly from her about her priorities for the Ministry. It also created space for staff to reflect on the importance of a motivated workforce in delivering quality healthcare services. The engagement comes as the Ministry continues to focus on strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring that patients receive services in a professional and respectful environment. Dr Tapela used the occasion to outline her commitment to building a compassionate, accountable and high-performing health sector.
Opening the session, outgoing Acting Permanent Secretary Dr Tshepo Machacha thanked Ministry staff for their continued dedication and contribution to the health sector. His remarks recognised the role employees play in keeping health services functioning and supporting patients across Botswana. He also encouraged staff to pay greater attention to their own health, particularly through healthy eating habits. The message highlighted an important connection between the wellbeing of healthcare workers and their ability to provide effective services to others. Maintaining good health among staff can support productivity, reduce preventable health risks and help employees remain able to meet the demands of their responsibilities.
Dr Tapela addressed staff 16 days into her tenure and expressed her appreciation for the warm reception she received from the Ministry. Her early engagement with employees provided an opportunity to communicate her leadership approach and establish a shared understanding of the direction she wants the Ministry to take. She described her vision as one centred on compassion, accountability and high performance. These principles are particularly important in healthcare because the quality of services depends not only on systems and resources but also on how staff interact with patients and one another. Her message placed employees at the centre of efforts to strengthen the Ministry and improve healthcare delivery.
A key part of Dr Tapela’s message was the importance of a motivated workforce. She emphasised that employees form the foundation of the Ministry and that every staff member should feel valued, supported and empowered to perform their duties. Creating such an environment requires leaders to recognise staff contributions while also addressing workplace challenges that can affect morale and performance. Employees who feel respected and supported are better positioned to contribute positively to their teams and the people they serve. The emphasis on workforce motivation therefore forms part of a wider approach to strengthening organisational performance within the health sector.
Dr Tapela also called on employees to uphold professionalism, teamwork, integrity and accountability as everyday standards. These principles are important in a health environment where staff members have direct responsibilities for patients and communities. Professional conduct helps build confidence in healthcare services while teamwork allows different departments and professionals to work towards shared objectives. Integrity and accountability are equally important because healthcare workers handle sensitive responsibilities and must make decisions that protect patients and maintain public trust. By presenting these values as daily standards, Dr Tapela reinforced the expectation that good service should be reflected in every part of the Ministry.
Her statement that “customer service is healthcare” placed the patient experience at the centre of her leadership message. Healthcare involves more than clinical treatment because patients also need to feel respected, heard and treated with dignity throughout their interactions with health workers. Simple aspects of communication, empathy and professionalism can significantly influence how patients experience healthcare facilities and services. Dr Tapela reminded staff that every patient deserves dignity, empathy and respect, regardless of their circumstances. This approach recognises that improving healthcare requires attention to both clinical outcomes and the quality of interactions between patients and healthcare workers.
The meet-and-greet also provided staff with an opportunity to communicate their expectations directly to the new Permanent Secretary. Employees requested that Dr Tapela visit individual departments so that she can hear about their operational challenges firsthand. Such visits could give the Ministry leadership a clearer understanding of the practical issues employees face in different areas of the organisation. Department-level engagements can also help identify challenges that may not be fully visible through formal reports or broader meetings. Direct interaction between leadership and staff can therefore support better communication and help inform decisions based on the experiences of employees working on the ground.
Dr Tapela welcomed the request and reaffirmed her commitment to leading with openness and listening continuously to staff. Her response signals an intention to maintain regular communication rather than relying only on formal leadership structures. Visiting departments can create opportunities for employees to raise concerns, share ideas and explain what they need to perform their duties effectively. It can also help strengthen relationships between senior management and staff across different areas of the Ministry. A leadership approach that combines accountability with listening can support a stronger workplace culture and encourage employees to participate actively in improving services.
The emphasis on collaboration across all units is also important because healthcare delivery depends on different departments working together. Administrative, clinical, technical and support teams all contribute to the functioning of the health system, even when their responsibilities differ. Gaps in communication between departments can affect efficiency and ultimately influence the experience of patients. Building stronger cooperation can help the Ministry address operational challenges more effectively and ensure that employees understand how their responsibilities contribute to wider health sector objectives. Dr Tapela’s focus on teamwork therefore extends beyond individual departments and supports a more coordinated approach to healthcare delivery.
The welcoming session marked an important early engagement between Dr Tapela and the Ministry of Health workforce. Her message combined recognition of staff contributions with clear expectations around professionalism, accountability, integrity and patient-centred service. The commitment to visit departments and listen to operational challenges also creates an opportunity for employees to participate in shaping improvements within the Ministry. As Dr Tapela continues her tenure, translating these principles into practical workplace improvements and better patient experiences will be central to her leadership agenda. A motivated workforce, strong collaboration and consistent respect for patients can provide a solid foundation for building a more responsive and effective health sector in Botswana.
