25 Jul 2021

Government has resolved to suspend some national development projects in order to face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said. 

When visiting the Ramotswa Kgotla to appreciate how the vaccination rollout was progressing and encourage people to get vaccinated on Thursday, Dr Masisi said Botswana had prioritised the fight against the deadly virus. 

He thus appealed to the nation to take precautionary measures and join the government in the fight. 

He said the impact of the virus was felt across all sectors and most important development projects were either deferred or suspended to tackle the pandemic. 

President Masisi said failure to observe laid down health protocols in some quarters led to the rising number of cases, which were now depleting resources. 

He said big COVID-19 vaccines manufacturers were now limiting production to their own countries, making the situation even more dire for developing countries globally. 

He however said Botswana had procured more vaccines and were expecting delivery in the coming weeks. 

The President also applauded the task force team and all frontline workers. Senior Matron for South East District Health Management Team, Ms Midah Mogonono said they had vaccinated over 8 000 people, with over 3 000 fully vaccinated, since the vaccination campaign started in May. 

She said 7 987 cases were recorded in her area, of which 1 605 were active, 6 333 recoveries and 46 deaths so far. 

She noted among others shortage of staff, as a major impediment to the vaccination drive in her area, adding that poor network coverage was also a challenge at registration sites. 

Meanwhile, President Masisi, accompanied by the First Lady Ms Neo Masisi, visited the Oteng family in Ramotswa to pay their condolences following the death of their mother, Ms Lucy Oteng. 

The deceased was wife to former Ramotswa Member of Parliament, Mr Geoffrey Oteng. Ends