Health/ Botswana declares health emergency amid critical drug shortages
Botswana has declared a public health emergency due to severe shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. President Duma Boko announced the crisis in a televised address, outlining a multimillion-dollar emergency response that will involve military oversight to manage distribution.
The finance ministry has approved 250 million pula ($18.3m) in emergency funding to address what the president called a “highly price sensitive” situation.
The country’s health system is facing debts exceeding 1 billion pula, partly due to referrals to private hospitals for unavailable public services.
Shortages include HIV medication, cancer drugs, and tuberculosis supplies; a particularly acute problem given that Botswana has one of the world’s highest HIV rates.
The health ministry has temporarily suspended elective surgeries and non-urgent medical referrals.
The economic downturn in the diamond market, a key revenue source, and cuts in U.S. aid have exacerbated the crisis. UNICEF has called for “urgent action,” highlighting malnutrition in regions like D’Kar.
Despite the challenges, Health Minister Dr. Stephen Modise expressed confidence that the situation is “not insurmountable.” Military-distributed aid shipments began moving from the capital to remote areas this week.
