11 Mar 2021

 Parliament has been informed that there is an arrangement for Batswana working abroad to access antiretrovirals (ARVs) and laboratory tests in their host countries using their medical insurance.

Responding to a question in Parliament, the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said for those who needed to return to Botswana for re-filling, his ministry had a special arrangement where relatives were allowed to collect ARVs on their behalf and send to them.

“It should be noted that circumstances differ as countries have different policy guidelines and different ARV regiment

The government is obliged to offer ARVs for Batswana who are working or studying abroad outside government scholarship”.

MP Goretetse Kekgonegile, Maun East MP, had asked the minister to brief Parliament on arrangements to assist Batswana working for government abroad to access ARVs without having to return for refilling and testing.

He asked if the arrangement could be extended to other Batswana working and studying abroad with the same health status. ends