Gaborone: Botswana's President Duma Boko declared on Monday a public health emergency, stating that the national medical supply chain had failed, leaving hospitals and clinics short of medicine and other essential supplies. Boko announced that the military would manage an emergency distribution operation, with the first trucks departing from the capital, Gaborone, to reach remote areas by the evening.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the southern African country's health ministry had previously warned in early August about the dwindling stock of medicines and supplies due to unspecified financial challenges, which led to the postponement of all non-urgent surgeries. In a televised address, President Boko stated, "The medical supply chain as run by central medical stores has failed," highlighting the severe disruption to health supplies across the nation.
To address this crisis, the finance ministry has approved emergency funding of 250 million pula (USD 17.35 million) for procurement. This funding aims to stabilize the supply chain and ensure that medical facilities receive the necessary resources to continue operations.