12 Mar 2020

Government requires over P50 million for nationwide logistics needed to combat COVID-19 but has only P31 million.

Speaking in an interview after a press briefing on  Coronavirus on March 11, Health Services director, Dr Malaki Tshipayagae said P31 million in unspent Ministry of Health and Wellness funds would be diverted to the COVID-19 campaign. 

 He said the balance would be requested from other ministries with the possibility of using national disaster funds should the need arise.

 “It is however worth noting that the required amount is not fixed but subject to change as it will be determined by the magnitude and impact of the outbreak in the country,” he said.

Dr Tshipayagae said there were currently no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Botswana.

 He said 2 000 individuals had been screened for COVID-19 with 16 suspects out of which 14 had tested negative while two were still awaiting tests results. 

The country’s preparedness and response plan, including establishment of an emergency operation center, had been developed, he said.

 Dr Tshipiyagae said the country was working with WHO-Botswana and other partners to implement and manage several preparedness and response interventions.

He said a WHO consultant had been deployed at the National Health Laboratory to train six laboratory scientists to start testing samples locally and also assist with workflow and processes. 

The laboratory would have the capacity to test between 50-150 specimens per week with results being  available within 48-72 hours, he explained.

He said the laboratory had finalised a contract framework with Botswana Bureau of Standards which would facilitate services and maintenance of bio-safety cabinet and pipettes which were key to the COVID-19 testing. 

On another issue, Dr Tshipayagae cautioned the public against the use of social media in spreading misinformation  on the virus.

“We are concerned about the level of misinformation that is taking place as it looks like everyone is now an expert on COVID-19, hence the public should only rely on officially approved statements issued by the ministry,” he said.

 For her part, WHO country representative, Dr Josephine Namboze said there were currently 39 COVID-19 cases in Africa with most of the infected having recently traveled to France and Italy.  

She cautioned the public to continue with all precautionary measures and pleaded with those showing  symptoms to seek medical care early and share previous travel history with health care providers as early as possible.

Dr Namboze expressed optimism that there could soon be a breakthrough in controlling the virus as 20 various vaccines  were currently under experimentation. Ends