Lawrence Ookeditse

Lawrence Ookeditse is the current Assistant Minister of Health and a president of Botswana Patriotic Front. Quotes “Women are dying in silence, as leaders, we must confront this public health issue with compassion, evidence, and a commitment to human rights, access to safe abortion is not about encouraging it, it is about saving lives and ensuring dignity,” “Think of a poor girl child in Manxotai, with unwanted pregnancy, ending up throwing a baby in a pit latrine,” Mr Ookeditse said, expressing frustration over the ambiguities and stigma surrounding abortion services. “On the other hand, another young girl from a rich family still in Botswana crosses the border to perform a safe abortion,” “Although Botswana is a Christian country, and abortion against ethics, I am not advocating for abortion as a first option,” but advocating for safety, legality and informed choice,” Ookeditse advocates for safe abortions 25 May 2025 “We must leverage innovation, collaboration and strategic partnerships to ensure that every pula spent contributes to improved health outcomes for all Batswana,” “by working together whether it was with international partners, private sector entities, or local organizations, we could achieve more with less and ensure that no Motswana was left behind in the pursuit of better health.” “Achieving UHC continues to be a central focus of the health sector’s agenda,” “We must address the disparities in health outcomes that persist across different populations,” Every Pula Spent must Improve Health of All-Minister 17 February 2025 "many health issues could be prevented if we invested more in preventative healthcare, which would stop patients from reaching a stage requiring specialised treatment.” “Focus on preventative measures so that funds spent on taking patients for specialised treatment could be used for other competing needs,” Prioritise Preventative Healthcare 4 December 2024 “We cannot afford to treat palliative care as an optional service. It is a right, a necessity, and a moral obligation for all who are living with serious illnesses,” Botswana Pushes for Stronger Palliative Care Integration in National Health System 23 September 2025 “If you cannot reach an agreement then you go for arbitration through the courts then that is not something that cannot be looked at as unfair or an injustice to the image of the party.” Court Disputes Reflect Party Democracy – BPF SG 20 August 2024 “The painful part about those allegations is not just that they are untrue. They undermine my intelligence. They suggest I don’t think and that I am not a strong leader,” “The UDC or any friend we choose to work with needs a strong, united BPF, one that brings value to the table,” “Having friends doesn’t mean killing the BPF.” . “We are not taking the BPF apart. The UDC issue must not divide us. This party will continue to shine and we will rebuild it under unity,” “Like the congress has already spoken, we intend to have friends, but we will not be swallowed,” I won't dismantle the BPF—Ookeditse 4 November 2025 “Matters have come to a point where we firmly believe that we need a strategic refocus for the state that the party needs to survive. I have decided to run against a person that I deeply respect,” “In the event we are not successful in our bid for presidency, I will continue to serve and be available for the BPF I will give Reatile the same support I have given him over the years”. “I don’t think winning is everything. For the future growth and development of our party and its unity, progress, and ultimate victory, we need to make these decisions. I am a fiercely loyal person and in the past years I have worked with the President of the party Reatile, whom I deeply respect. We have been holding consultations with members, Batswana, and the former party patron, Ian Khama, to let our people know that it is time that we take a different course as a party. It is time that we become strategic in our political approach no wonder,” “I literally lost a job because of my association with the party. During the years of madness, we slept in cells and got auctioned, not that we are reckless, but because we fought for the movement.” “The political landscape has changed, and it necessitates a strategic redirection of the BPF.” “After we win, we will have presence in these areas, and it will entail not just presence but also a much focused recruitment strategy that is geared towards bringing people to the party,” “We are going to be very intentional in strengthening our administrative capacity as a party”. “We are making these moves because the party must survive. The BPF must not only survive, but we are building a party headed towards victory,” “As part of our strategic redirection, the next four years will be marked by a strong BPF that is growing. This party will not be in isolation; it will grow alongside like-minded allies,” . “That is not happening under our watch. I get in trouble because of what I say sometimes, that is so because I am not a coward, I am never afraid to say what I believe in,” “I believe in unity and cooperation,” It breaks my heart to challenge Reatile – Ookeditse 24 October 2025