Botswana has declared a health emergency amid a severe shortage of medicines and essential medical supplies.
Hospitals and Clinics are struggling to treat patients with illnesses such as hypertension, cancer, and diabetes.
The Health Ministry says; “the crisis is due to financial challenges.”
Also President Dumo Boko stated that ”high procurement costs and poor distribution systems have caused waste, losses, and damage.”
In August, the Ministry had already warned of low stock and suspended all non-urgent surgeries. To ease the situation, the government approved 250 million pula, about $17.35 million in emergency funds to buy essential medicines and supplies.
“It’s a scenario the country hoped to avoid, Back in early August,” the Health Ministry warned of depleting stock and postponed all non-urgent surgeries.
Botswana’s budget has been under pressure this year, largely due to a prolonged slump in the global diamond market.
The country is the World’s top producer of diamonds by value.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump had cut health funding to Botswana, though it remains unclear whether this is directly linked to the current crisis.
Africanews/Hauwa M.