01 Dec 2019

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape has dismissed fears of deaths emanating from shortage of Anti-Retro Viral treatment (ARVs).

In an interview, Dr Kwape noted the recent challenge of drug supply, after one pharmaceutical company, which had shown interest in part of the procurement tender, made an urgent court application to interdict the whole tender.

He however explained that the government moved swiftly to request for a waiver to continue procuring the drugs to ensure continuity, though at shorter intervals than the usual supply.

He said the court acceded to the request and therefore the ministry never ran out of ARVs and no patient was turned away as a result.

On the availability of drugs in health facilities across the country in general, Dr Kwape said he was optimistic that the situation would improve after the recently introduced SADC Pool Procurement of medicines.

He underscored the need for service providers to put a human face to health services to ensure effective delivery.

“The healthcare sector is about love and compassion, and therefore there is need for mindset change  despite the limited resources.

The aim is to put a human face to our services, thereby encouraging our service providers to double their efforts in ensuring that Batswana access these services,” he explained.

Dr Kwape also noted that redefining the supply chain management system would help reduce the rate of expired drugs in health facilities.

Meanwhile, in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said provision of quality healthcare services was one of the government’s top priorities.

He said the government was committed to realising Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through universal health coverage.

He also said funds would continue to be allocated funds towards fighting HIV and providing a conducive environment for other partners to play their role.

“My government allocates resources annually through our national budget and those mobilised from partners to the HIV programme. Like any other country that battles with issues of development, there are ineffective social systems in some areas.

We are nevertheless steadfast in ensuring a legal and policy environment for all players to participate and play their part,” he noted. ENDS