08 Nov 2020

 The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Bio-Frame Supporting Health Care have been lauded for donating medical supplies to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

When receiving the donation, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, said protective equipment ensured that frontline workers were protected.

He said the donation would augment the ministry’s supplies and boost fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The fight against the pandemic is far from over and I appreciate your continued support. May I urge you all to continue adhering to the COVID-19 protocols by washing hands regularly with clean water and soap, wearing of face masks at all times and maintaining social distancing,”  Minister Dikoloti said.

For her part, Dr Josphine Namboze said medical supplies that were donated included 13 200 face shields, 600 goggles, 18 700 isolations gowns, 120 000 surgical masks and 5 000 respirator masks. 

Hospital supplies included 12 oxygen concentrators and support to the National Health Lab (HNL) with COVID-19 reagents kits and disposal sampling kits. 

Dr Namboze said COVID-19 disrupted economies and health systems as a whole. 

She also noted that WHO had various programmes to support Botswana.

She said they supported Botswana to develop internal capacity to test for COVID-19 and this would include skills development, technical guidance, repurposing of structures and equipment as well as provision of essential material and supplies, she said. 

The organisation too employed staff on short term basis to strengthen some key areas such as laboratories and also support mobilisation of partners and resources for the response. 

Dr Zia Chowdhury, United Nations Resident coordinator said  the items had been produced by United Nations for residents of Botswana. 

They were an important symbol of continued solidarity between the United Nations and Botswana, he added, noting that the items came via WHO that had skills and ability to make large scale purchases.

The items, he highlighted, had been purchased from reliable supplies in Germany, United Kingdom,  H K, Belgium, China Korea just to mention a few. 

He added that the United Nations worked with member states, private sectors and International bodies and blocks to get quick access to essential items and support personnel to make good use of them quickly. 

“All this goes to say we need each other, States, entities, communities, individuals all need to work together to tackle common and specific challenges,”  

Meanwhile BIO-FRAME’s director, Oanthata Lebeko said the Ministry of Health and Wellness understood the burden imposed by COVID-19 and they believed the donation would act as support and encouragement for the ministry to continuebto  fight the pandemic. ends