15 Sep 2013

The government is planning to put in place strict security measures to ensure the safety of anti-retroviral drugs, says the Minister of Health, Dr John Seakgosing.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Hukuntsi recently, Dr Seakgosing said the government was concerned by the theft of anti-retroviral drugs in hospitals and clinics.

“There is growing evidence of collusion between some government officials, pharmacies and private doctors to steal government anti-retroviral drugs for private sale,” said Dr Seakgosing.

He said the government has decided to ensure that ARVs are kept safe and reach the rightful beneficiaries.

He revealed that the government spends close to P1.3 billion annually on procuring ARV’s.

He said it was inevitable that those with access to the drugs would be tempted to make money from illicit sales given the high demand for the drugs in Botswana and Africa.

“We will install electronically operated security doors at our pharmaceutical stores to improve the safe keeping of ARVs and other drugs in our health facilities. Stern action will be taken against those found to be illegally profiting from the sale of these drugs,” he said.

Dr Seakgosing said in line with the HIV crisis, the nation had to defer, postpone, forgo and in some instances cancel development projects as funds were redirected towards fighting the disease.

He said the government cannot afford to turn a blind eye on a few individuals who are on an illegal mission to enrich themselves at the expense of the government and its citizenry.

He urged Batswana to take extraordinary measures to protect Botswana’s track record in the fight against HIV, saying citizens need to rally behind the government in its endeavour to attain a zero infection rate by 2016 and beyond.

On other issues, Kgalagadi District vice chairperson, Mr Idoo Leshope pleaded with the Ministry of Health to avail more ambulances in the Hukuntsi Sub-district. He complained that ambulances spend too much time at CTO awaiting repairs. Ends