GABORONE, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Botswana Health Ministry on Tuesday launched the Public Health Institute (BPHI), which will enable the southern African country to quickly help stop, detect and respond to infectious disease threats before they become epidemics.

Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti said during the BPHI reference committee's inaugural meeting in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, that the meeting demonstrates high-level commitment and leadership toward building the necessary capacity for health security and overall health system resilience.

"BPHI is a scientifically-driven unit to consolidate public health function, will serve to harness and promote local public health research and development and response," he said.

He noted that the BPHI will enable Botswana to participate strategically on a local, regional and international level by contributing to the growing scientific knowledge and evidence and finding solutions specific to their region and communities.

Furthermore, he said the institution will be best positioned to respond to the emerging focus post-COVID-19 pandemic, which will include strengthening research and development, as well as laboratory and diagnostic capacities to detect new and emerging threats. Enditem

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