A Systematic Review of Sustainable Development in Botswana's Healthcare Sector: A Medical Perspective

Sustainable development in healthcare is a critical challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings. Botswana faces the dual imperative of improving health outcomes while ensuring long-term system viability. A synthesis of medical perspectives on this issue is required for informed planning. This systematic review aimed to synthesise existing literature on sustainable development within Botswana's healthcare sector from a medical and clinical practice standpoint. Its objectives were to identify key themes, reported outcomes, and persistent gaps in knowledge. A systematic search was conducted across multiple electronic databases for peer-reviewed literature. Pre-defined inclusion criteria focused on studies discussing sustainability within Botswana's medical sector. Study screening, data extraction, and thematic analysis were performed by two independent reviewers. The review identified a predominant focus on healthcare infrastructure and access, with less emphasis on environmental sustainability in clinical settings. A key theme was the integration of HIV/AIDS care with primary health services as a model for sustainable programme delivery. A significant proportion of included studies highlighted human resource retention as a critical, unresolved challenge for system sustainability. Sustainable development in Botswana's medical sector is primarily framed around strengthening health systems and programme integration. A holistic view encompassing environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability within clinical practice remains underdeveloped in the literature. Future research should explicitly address the environmental impact of clinical services and medical waste. Policymakers must prioritise strategies for workforce sustainability. Integrating sustainability education into medical and nursing curricula in Botswana is also recommended. Sustainable development, healthcare systems, Botswana, medical practice, health policy, systematic review This review consolidates medical perspectives on healthcare sustainability in Botswana, providing a foundational synthesis for researchers and policymakers to address identified gaps and steer future initiatives.