Botswana has lifted its national public health emergency after seeing steady improvements in medicine and equipment availability across hospitals and clinics. Health Minister Dr Stephen Modise said while the situation remains delicate, conditions have improved enough to move the country out of the crisis phase.
The government declared the emergency in August amid severe shortages of essential medicines. Modise said supplies for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, along with antibiotics and pain medication, have largely returned, though not yet to full capacity.
He noted that hospital medicine availability rose to 36% in early October, up from 17% in August. Authorities are now working towards reaching 97% availability and maintaining at least three months’ stock at the Central Medical Stores by December.
–ChannelAfrica–
