Africa-Press – Botswana. The shortage of medical supplies has compelled government to find alternative ways of addressing the matter.
Addressing the media in Gaborone yesterday, the Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said government, through foreign missions, identified manufacturing companies that could supply the country.
Consequently, collaboration between government and the Baylor College of Medicine had borne fruits.
He said the first consignment comprising cancer medication to the tune of P 1 660 740 had arrived.
“The second batch of cancer medicines with 10 list items at a cost of P3.9 million is in order. The third consignment sourced through IDA foundation comprising 65 line items with most commonly used antibiotics, hypertension, diabetes medicines and other commodities to the tune of P18.6 million would be airfreighted from Netherlands this week and expected before the end of January,” said Dr Dikoloti.
Additionally, the minister said the fourth consignment comprising cardiovascular medicines and antibiotics to the tune of P13.2 million would also arrive in the next two weeks.
Furthermore, he said government would also receive more medicines from IDA Foundation valued at P13.8 million by April 2023, which would be the fifth consignment from Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr Dikoloti appreciated partners for assisting in identifying medical manufacturing companies across the world.
He hailed the UNICEF for assisting with child vaccines and other medicines, adding Botswana was awaiting delivery of two types of vaccines in the next two weeks.
Furthermore the minister said the United Nations Office for Projects (UNOPS) also supported the ministry in sourcing TB medicines, adding between September and November, a consignment worth P367 990 (US$28 890.02) was received and another one worth P493 580 (US$38 749.76) was at the airport awaiting clearance.
Dr Dikoloti said the ministry was making efforts to ensure that the country had sufficient supply of medication in all its facilities.
Regarding the long term interventions that the ministry believed would ultimately bring the lack of medicine challenges to an end, Dr Dikoloti said they had identified one company from India (Medwise), which managed to register 18 products with Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA).
“These products were ordered in October, 2022 to be manufactured for Botswana at a cost of P11.7 million (US$923 610) ,” he said.
Dr Dikoloti said part of the consignment that comprised a variety of products including antibiotics, painkillers and diabetic medicines would be air-freighted this week and would be received January 30 while the rest would come by sea in the next six to eight weeks.
Meanwhile, Dr Dikoloti said one of the initiatives implemented during the difficult time of shortages of medicines was to increase the budget for micro-procurement of medicines for health facilities.
“This financial year, 2022/2023, to-date health facilities have been allocated a total of P103 332 170 to procure medicines on a need basis,” he said.
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