Botswana has declared a national public health emergency amid critical shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. President Duma Boko announced a multimillion-dollar plan involving military oversight to rectify the country’s strained supply chain. Emphasizing the financial sensitivity of the crisis, he highlighted that managing these shortages would be challenging due to limited government resources, with the finance ministry approving 250 million pula ($18.3 million) in emergency funding to address immediate needs.
The public health crisis comes as Botswana’s economy, heavily reliant on diamond exports, faces a downturn in the international diamond market, compounded by cuts in U.S. aid. The economic strain has contributed to rising unemployment and poverty across the nation, home to approximately 2.5 million people. President Boko, who assumed office after his party won a historic landslide victory, has prioritized economic diversification to reduce dependence on diamonds.
Botswana’s health system has faced mounting challenges, including debts exceeding 1 billion pula ($55.2 million) largely due to patients seeking private hospital care for services unavailable publicly. The shortages affect critical areas such as cancer treatments, HIV medications, and tuberculosis care. US funding had previously covered about a third of Botswana’s HIV response, but recent aid cuts have further strained resources. As a result, the Ministry of Health temporarily suspended referrals for elective and non-urgent procedures, including organ transplants.
Despite these challenges, government officials remain optimistic. Health Minister Dr. Stephen Modise emphasized that the crisis is not insurmountable and pledged that efforts would continue until the entire procurement value chain is stabilized. As part of the emergency response, military trucks were deployed to distribute supplies to remote areas, with deliveries beginning in the capital, Gaborone.
International organizations have also voiced concern. UNICEF called for urgent action to safeguard the health and future of Botswana’s children, noting ongoing struggles with malnutrition in regions like D’Kar. The president’s emergency declaration underscores the severity of the situation and the nation’s commitment to overcoming its current public health challenges.
