28 May 2020

Ministry of Health and Wellness's acting permanent secretary, Ms Baile Moagi, says international health standards require countries to register cases of any kind of diseases where they originated even if the person is on transit.

Addressing members of the media on Wednesday, Ms Moagi says the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Botswana stands at 35 and out of this number, six have been transferred out of the country while one is still at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital.

She notes this is so because internationally cases have to be registered where one was diagnosed in order to have the record transferred to the patient’s origin.

Ms Moagi says the transferred cases were handed over to the health officials of the countries where those people were coming from and this is a common practice that has been there even before COVID-19 pandemic.

On other issues Ms Moagi says the have now resumed the oral and dental services, which were suspended during the extreme social distancing period as they avoided congestions at hospitals as a way of minimizing the spread of the Corona-virus.

She said other services such as those of specialists clinics have also commenced and would be done on appointment basis to avoid congestions and having patients waiting for a long time.

“We are also intending to introduce medication deliveries to patients and the system would be focusing specifically on the conditions of the patients and the elderly people as a way to minimize their chances of contracting the virus,” Ms Moagi notes.

Regarding the re-opening of the schools during winter season, Ms Moagi says they have been in talks with the officials of the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE).

They have promised to put up all the necessary required survey throughout the country to identify flu prone areas so that they continue giving out advice and ensuring compliance to COVID-19 pandemic protocols. ENDS

Ketumile/Edited/27052020.