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3w ago

Botswana Declares Health Emergency as Army Leads Medicine Distribution

Officials cite inflated procurement costs as the supply chain collapsed under a tightening budget.

Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko attends the inauguration of Namibia's first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the State House in Windhoek, Namibia, March 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
Duma Gideon Boko, President of Botswana attends a meeting during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union at the African Union Commision (AUC) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 14, 2025. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Botswana Defence Force is directing an emergency delivery drive, with the first trucks leaving Gaborone for remote districts.
  • The finance ministry approved 250 million pula for urgent medicine purchases to stabilize stocks.
  • President Duma Boko accused Central Medical Stores of price inflation, noting a 705 million pula annual quote versus an emergency taskforce offer under 80 million.
  • Hospitals have postponed non-urgent surgeries as facilities run short of drugs for hypertension, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, asthma, mental and sexual health, along with dressings and sutures.
  • Officials link the crisis to a prolonged diamond slump and recent US aid cuts, while UNICEF urged swift action and flagged high child undernutrition in a western district.