07 Jun 2020

Mamuno Border Post may get alternative testing facility for COVID-19 after running out of a reagent for testing for ‘GeneXpert machine’ installed at Mamuno border post.

The border facility now finds it difficult to release truck drivers results on time.

The truck drivers have to wait for 2-3 days to know their COVID-19 status as their swabs are sent to Gaborone for analysis, unlike one hour waiting period when the mobile facility, which was equipped with the GeneXpert machine was operational.

The extended waiting period means volumes of truck drivers at the border post, and border facility is now grappling with the demand for toilets and ablutions facilities, as well as providing alternative way on how truckers can get food, as there is no immediate shop.

Chief Scientist, Dr Modisa Motswaledi said COVID-19 national task force is pondering an alternative means of testing at the border post.

In an interview during their tour at Mamuno border post on Thursday, Dr Motswaledi said if they did not receive GeneXpert reagent soon, they would be bringing a new system to improve the release of results.

Dr Motswaledi explained that GeneXpert reagent is rationed by World health Organization,adding that ‘in case it does not become available by next week, we would have to come with an alternative means.’

He said as opposed to a combined system like GeneXpert, they were considering bringing a detection system and the extraction of swabs would be done manually.

Dr Motswaledi stated that though they were yet to established which detection system to use, they wanted efficient and appropriate system and its consumable should be always available.

He said their plan was to equip one identified building near the border post with such testing equipment as soon as possible,

“The building has enough space and it is suitable…” he stated.

He said they would first train those who would operate the system.

The coordinator of COVID-19 task force Dr Kereng Masupu challenged officials at the border post to improve testing turnaround time, saying if their turnaround time could improve other challenges would subsequently be eased.

He added that delay of results was impacting businesses of truck owners and consequently the economy was also affected, saying they were planning to increase the toilets and ablutions to curb possible spread of the disease at the border post.

Dr Masupu stressed that public health and safety could not be compromised, particularly at point of entry, noting that concerted efforts between Botswana and Namibia were critical to overcome the pandemic.

Concerning, shortage of reagent for COVID-19 testing ‘GeneXpert machine’, Dr Masupu conceded that it was a challenge, citing that the reagent was manufactured in the USA, which had decided that all things they produced must first benefit them.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thuso Ramodimoosi expressed gratitude that Charleshill COVID-19 response team had joined forces with their Namibian counterparts, saying such a relationship was espoused by the President.

Mr Ramodimoosi said component of procurement had been moved to office of the President to fast track procurement processes.

He promised that the payment backlog of those who provided services to COVID-19 response team would be dealt with soon.

Earlier, Charleshill Senior District officer-development, Ms Brenda Moanei stated that Pep stores was owed over P27 720 while various local suppliers were owed P 245 322.

In his briefing, Charleshill Acting Deputy District Commissioner Mr William Keareng said in a meeting with their Namibian counterpart and Trans Kalahari corridor secretariat, they had resolved that truck association should be made aware that currently they were experiencing delays in releasing results due to lack of reagent.

Mr Keareng said as there were no shops by the border gate, truckers should be encouraged to come with enough food to last them for about three days and added that officials at the border post could help them to acquire food.

Port health officer, Mr Gothata Mokhutshwane stated that every evening the samples were transported to Gaborone and they normally receive result two days later.

Meanwhile, Ghanzi District Health Management Team coordinator, Ms Keitumetse Maapatsane appealed to government to consider reverting to the use of public facilities as quarantine centers, saying the current arrangement of lodges and hotels was very expensive. Ends