19 Mar 2020

 Botswana is among the few African countries at an impressive COVID-19 readiness level.

This was revealed by the Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Lemogang Kwape at a media briefing March 19. 

The aim was to update the nation on the COVID-19 situation in Botswana.

Dr Kwape said a National Emergency Response Committee chaired by the President had been established to oversee the COVID-19 response  and prevention related activities.

He explained that part of Botswana’s strategy was to draw lessons from the Chinese government on management of the pandemic through  implementation of five primary themes of detection, reporting, isolation, case management and communication.

“Government of Botswana through the leadership of Dr Masisi is trying to mimic what the Chinese did in managing COVID-19. They were the epicentre of the pandemic but today the epicentre is Europe and it is spreading the world over,” he said.

Dr Kwape applauded development partners’ assistance in Botswana’s efforts to curb the spread of the virus such as the Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation who had always provided technical support. 

Botswana, he said, had started testing locally through WHO support but had some samples sent to South Africa for standardisation. 

In the near future all testing would be done locally, he said.

For her part, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Ms Peggy Serame said one of the agenda items during Wednesday’s SADC ministerial meeting was response to COVID-19.

“We agreed on a coordinated response at the SADC level. The technical team is already working on it and going to assist and guide us in terms of protocols and how we can leverage each other’s support and strengths in dealing with the outbreak,” she added.

She said the private sector was also offered support and would continue to be monitored on how best to address the issue.

“We are monitoring our behaviour in terms of purchasing because there are concerns about supply issues, especially on pricing. We will monitor and intervene. 

We will monitor price changes in terms of items that we need so no one buys in bulk at the expense of others. 

We shall guard against unreasonable pricing for certain products,” she noted.

Ms Serame said Botswana had an agreement with South Africa in terms of any changes in border gate processes.

Any changes would be communicated, she said. Ends