On Monday, Botswana’s President Duma Boko had to declare a public emergency due to a total failure in the national medical supply chain that caused hospitals and clinics to be without medication and other essential supplies.
Boko, to ease up the crisis, announced that the military would take charge of divided emergency supplies, while the first trucks would be heading from capital Gaborone to the outskirts by evening.
The Ministry of Health in the southern African country signaled in early August that they were running out of medicines probably due to financial challenges and decided to reschedule all non-urgent surgeries. The Finance Ministry has responded by approving 250 million pula ($17.35 million) of emergency funds for procurement.
This year, Botswana’s budget was under pressure due to a prolonged slump in the global diamond market, where it was the top producer by value. Apart from this, the Trump administration cut funding that was sustaining the Botswana health sector.
Boko claimed the government procurement rates for medical supplies were extremely high and the existing supply chain was responsible for the loss, waste, and damage of supplies. The health ministry blamed the lack of funds for causing a 1 billion pula debt to private hospitals and healthcare providers reported on August 4, which made the situation even worse.
Lack of medicine caused the discontinuation of the treatment of hypertension, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, eye diseases, asthma, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health. The ministry also said that there were shortages of dressings and sutures.
