Botswana declares health emergency as medicine shortage cripples hospitals

GABORONE — Monday

Botswana’s government has declared a public health emergency after hospitals exhausted essential medicines, President Duma Boko announced on Monday, citing collapsed medical supplies due to empty state coffers and US aid cuts.

The diamond-dependent nation faces economic strains that drained gem revenues, leaving most citizens battling unemployment and poverty (source not provided).

In a televised address, Boko confirmed the supply chain failure and authorised R317 million emergency funding to replenish facilities. “This scenario is not sustainable. We are taking bold steps to ensure that never again will Botswana suffer due to broken systems,” he said, adding that the military would manage drug distribution.

Botswana’s health ministry earlier warned of being “severely strained” with R1.3 billion owed to suppliers, causing shortages in hypertension, cancer, diabetes and TB medicines plus postponed surgeries (health ministry statement).

Diamond sales contributing 80% of foreign earnings have declined recently (source not provided), forcing last month’s suspension of ministerial expenditures.

US aid reductions under Donald Trump worsened the crisis. America previously funded one-third of Botswana’s HIV response (UNAIDS) and provided $12 million to fight malaria and TB.

UNICEF called for “urgent action”, noting one in five children is underweight in a district bordering Namibia (UNICEF statement).