Desk Reports :
The Botswana government has declared a nationwide public health emergency in the face of a severe shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment. President Duma Boko Haram made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Monday. According to a report by the British media outlet BBC, he has launched a multi-million pound plan under the supervision of the military to address the supply crisis. “We have a limited budget, so we have to be very careful to make up for this shortfall,” the president said in his address to the nation.
Botswana is one of the world’s leading diamond producers. The country’s economy is largely dependent on diamonds. The country’s economy is currently under pressure due to the recession in the international diamond market. The situation has become even more deplorable due to US cuts. As a result, about 25 million citizens of the country are currently facing unemployment and high poverty.
In his speech, President Boko said the finance ministry had approved an emergency fund of 250 million pula (£13.8 million) to address the deficit. Earlier this month, the health ministry warned that it was facing major challenges, including a shortage of medical supplies and a debt of more than a billion pula (£55.2 million). Much of this debt has been accumulated for the treatment of patients who were unable to access public hospitals and had to be admitted to private hospitals.
Health Minister Dr. Stephen Modise said there were shortages of medicines and equipment for various diseases, including cancer, HIV treatment and tuberculosis. According to UNAIDS, the United States funded about a third of Botswana’s HIV program before President Donald Trump cut US aid.
The health ministry has temporarily suspended elective surgeries and non-urgent medical referrals due to the crisis, including organ transplants. But the government is optimistic. “I have no doubt that we will overcome this situation very soon,” said Dr. Modise. The distribution of medicines and equipment has begun under the supervision of the military, Reuters reported. The first truckloads of supplies left the capital Gaborone on Monday and are expected to reach remote areas by evening.
