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(NAHPA) also attended the virtual launch and gave his
perspective on importance of statistical data in the Health
sector.

“statistics form the basis for informed planning. As the saying
goes: If you can’t measure it, then you can’t manage it. This “If used
simply emphasizes the need for data to inform action in a
knowledge-based Economy as alluded by theme of today. The correctly,
use of data, especially statistical data, in the health sector
especially in mitigating against HIV and AIDS has been crucial statistics tell us
in major decision making and program implementation. Our trends in what
decision to implement treat All and offer ART to all individuals
that test Positive for HIV was based on statistical evidence and happened in
science.
the past and
We do mathematical modelling for HIV and AIDS and very soon
we may do the same for Non- Communicable diseases, which can be useful in
presents an opportunity for collaboration and consultancy,”he predicting what
explained.
may happen in
“ We need to develop Botswana Specific Models that use our
localised assumptions instead in international Models that have the future”
a tendency to over-estimate or under-estimate our figures. This
requires good collaborations between the University experts
and us the service users. For example, in South Africa they have
developed the localised Model called the Thembisa Model to
estimate and project their HIV and AIDS statistics.
They do not rely on the generic UNAIDS SPECTRUM Model.

As part of giving back to the community or a project collaboration
this unit should strive to close existing knowledge and service
gaps and jointly develop such Botswana-based models.”
Chief Financial Officer, Bank of Botswana & Chairperson of
the Department of Mathematics and Statistical Sciences
Industry Advisory Board Mr Daniel Loeto was guest speaker at
the launch. Mr Loeto explained the terminology surrounding
statistics and how statistics is used in daily operation.

These industries are namely but not limited to Insurance
Industry,medicalinsurance, the pension funds industry, risk
management and quality testing.
Mr Loeto said , “if used correctly, statistics tell us trends in
what happened in the past and can be useful in predicting what
may happen in the future. It is indeed my sincere wish that the
Statistical Services Unit being launched here today is going to
stand the test of time and put the Department of Mathematics
and Statistical Sciences at BIUST in good stead. It will grow
in leaps and bounds. It is my sincere hope that the Statistical Chief Financial Officer, Bank of
Services Unit we are launching today will go a long way in
ensuring that the University and those that the Unit intends Botswana : Mr Daniel Loeto
to serve get the full benefits that could be derived from the
correct interpretation and use of statistics.”

Issue 29 - Apr /May 2022 www.engineerbw.com