The Ministry of Health in Botswana is responsible for overseeing the quality and distribution of healthcare throughout the country. Life expectancy at birth was 55 in 2009 according to the World Bank, having previously fallen from a peak of 64.1 in 1990 to a low of 49 in 2002.
Botswana is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, north of South Africa. Botswana occupies an area of 581,730 square kilometres (224,610 sq mi), of which 566,730 km2 (218,820 sq mi) are land.
Botswana is divided into 15 administrative districts: 9 rural districts and 6 urban districts. These are administered by 15 local authorities (district councils, city councils or town councils). Until 2006, Chobe and Ngamiland Districts shared the same local authority, the North-West District Council.