29 Apr 2021

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research Science and Technology, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe is optimistic that Botswana can develop its own COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr Letsholathebe told a leadership meeting at Patayamatebele settlement kgotla that the country already had institutions that manufactured and developed vaccines.

He cited the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), which produced the Foot and Mouth (FMD) vaccine.

 “I am optimistic that given the number of scientists this country has, and with the vast knowledge we have, including indigenous knowledge, it is possible,” he added.

The Patayamatebele meeting was one in a series that Dr Letsholathebe, who is the MP for Tati East, was addressing to encourage his constituents to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

He said his ministry would lead a team working on the project of COVID-19 manufacturing and to show the seriousness of the project, he recently allocated scientists and other stakeholders a space at the Botswana Innovation Hub to use as a research centre to develop the COVID-19 vaccine.

He said it was very expensive for this country to import vaccines, when it could develop its own and slash the import bill.

Dr Letsholathebe appealed to the residents to observe all COVID-19 protocols and save their lives and the economy of the country.

He said it was disheartening to see a lot of people not adhering to the protocols, leading to an increase in infections and deaths.

On other issues, he told the residents that the Tonota-Ditladi-Patayamatebele gravel road was not included in this financial year for bitumen standard and appealed to the residents to rest assured that once funds are secured, their concerns would be answered.  

He acknowledged that the road was important because it was their link to markets in Francistown and other areas.

The minister also expressed concern about the acute shortage of drinking water in the settlement and urged the Water Utilities Corporation to take the matter seriously.

Giving an update on the COVID-19 situation for the greater Francistown area, Acting District Management Health Team (DHMT), Ms Dedzi Mfolwe said they were ready for the next vaccination round.

Ms Mfolwe revealed that during the first vaccination round, the zone received 2 900 doses, which were administered to the eligible in Tonota, Mathangwane, Francistown East and Monarch.  

She explained that since the outbreak of the pandemic, the greater Francistown area registered a total of 5 877 COVID-19 cases, adding that just like any other district, the area was greatly affected.

Ms Mfolwe said the zone had two isolation centres, one in Matsiloje and another at Ntshe in Francistown, with Matsiloje receiving those who had tested positive, but have not yet shown signs of sickness, while the Ntshe centre admits the ill.

She said as at Tuesday, the Matsiloje centre had 190 patients, while the Ntshe one had 19, adding that since the outbreak of the pandemic, Patayamatebele had recorded only one case, who has since recovered.
She said community registration for the next vaccination was moving smoothly and that a team would be dispatched for home visits in the next vaccination campaign. ENDS