29 Mar 2021

Limited resources have not only meant that Botswana’s frontline workers have to do more with less, but have also made it difficult for them to cope with the surging number of new COVID-19 cases.

Assistance from the private sector and other stakeholders meant to fight the scourge are as such welcome, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti has said when receiving a donation of items needed to fight COVID-19 from the Pakistan Association of Botswana in Gaborone recently.

Dr Dikoloti said now was the time when Botswana urgently needed assistance to fight the pandemic, calling on the private sector to partner with government to fight the pandemic. 

The items included; three oxygen machines that can supply two patients at the a time, three wheelchairs, three walking rings, 10 walking canes, 10 blankets, three infrared thermometers, six oxymeters, 30 boxes of face masks each containing 50 masks.

“We warmly welcome and appreciate your support during these trying times. 

At a time when the pandemic shows no signs of slowing down, the government needs all the assistance it can get to fight this enemy.” 

Dr Dikoloti also said it had been a year since Botswana registered its first cases of COVID-19, and the country had lost 500 lives to the scourge, lamenting that 500 deaths were a lot of lives lost considering the country’s small population. 

“Bagaetsho, these are not just numbers. 

Behind these numbers are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters and professionals who could be contributing towards building the economy of Botswana.”  

As March 26 marked the start of vaccine rollout, he said the ministry, in partnership with community leaders, were working round the clock to allay public fears on the safety of the vaccine. 

Dr Dikoloti pointed out that vaccination did not mean that people could abandon COVID-19 health protocols such as mandatory use of face masks and social distancing, saying protocols were still valid so to reduce new infections. 

Mr Ishtiaq ur Rehamn Raja, chairperson of The Pakistan Association of Botswana, said the organisation, which had been in existence in Botswana for almost 20 years, had assisted on social work, education, health and villages development committees.

For the health sector, the association has assisted in medical campaigns, eyes screening, donating reading glasses, while in education they assisted children and the elderly through a feeding programme and donated walking sticks. 

Mr Raja urges Non-Governmental Organisations to emulate the Pakistan Association to help build a healthy Botswana.  

Giving a vote of thanks, Councillor Oduetse Tautona of Kgale View ward said the Pakistan Association was one among the few foreign associations which truly supported and maintained its obligation to assist Botswana. Ends