as preparing tenders for food rations and clothing, ensuring that suppliers provide the necessary commodities, and supervising food rations. Consequently, social workers fail to concentrate on the core business of the profession. The introduction of the food coupon system may be a step in the right direction as this would also give beneficiaries the choice they need in purchasing the food they want. Children under the age of 18 also benefit from the destitute programme. These are children who are in need of care and may not be catered for under the orphan care programme. In addition to food rations, these children get assistance in the form of school uniforms, toiletries, transport, protective clothing, boarding requisites, tuition in private and vocational schools, street clothes, payment of additional fees required by the schools such as touring fees, sports fees, development fees and other incidental expenses. Child and Maternal Mortalities The 2006 Demographic Health Survey reflects that under five (5) Mortality rate (per 1000 live births) for boys is 70 and for girls is 85. The 2011 Population and Housing Census has revealed a decline in national infant mortality rate at 17 deaths per 1, 000 live births. This is a drop from the 56 deaths per 1, 000 live births recorded in 2001. Male infants are more likely to die under the age of one (1), ie, 18 deaths per 1, 000 live births, compared to female infants whose incidences were recorded at 17 deaths per 1, 000 live births. Botswana has adopted the Accelerated Child Survival and Development strategy (2009/10 – 2015/16) to address child survival in Botswana. The strategy entails introducing high impact interventions, new vaccines, vitamin A supplements, strengthening the coverage and quality of services and monitoring systems. The high impact interventions are being implemented nationally while new vaccines are being introduced in a phased manner. Botswana has undertaken several measures to address persistent issues such as: (a) Inadequate health services coverage in ‘Hard to Reach Populations’ (groups that are difficult to access due to geographical, cultural and social factors) and the non-acceptance of interventions like immunisations by some individuals and some sectors; and (b) Delayed care seeking practices and resistance to behavioural change. Studies reveal that there has been a decrease of maternal deaths. In 2008, a total number of 88 cases of maternal deaths were recorded as compared to 85 cases in 2011. The 2010 Maternal Mortality Ratio was lower at 163.0 per 100, 000 live births 57 | P a g e