08 Aug 2021

Frontliners need to be well equipped and armed with the right protective clothing to guarantee their safety especially now with the worsening COVID-19 situation. 

This was said by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti when receiving approximately P660 000‘s (US$60 000) worth of Personal Protective Equipment donated by  UNFPA and the Chinese embassy in Gaborone recently.

 “Any danger in their line of duty is a danger to the recipients of their services, therefore we cannot afford to have them unprotected,” he said. 

Dr Dikoloti said the donation, comprising 1 900 isolation gowns, the same number of coveralls, 20 and 40 boxes of examination and surgical gloves respectively, 40 boxes of surgical masks, 1 650 goggles and 1 980 face shields, was timely.

He said it came at a time when Botswana was in dire need of PPEs as the number of cases continued to rise at an alarming rate. 

The minister said the higher burden of the pandemic, which had stretched Botswana’s health facilities and resources to the limit, was being experienced. 

For his part, the Chinese ambassador, Mr Wang Xuefeng, said he believed that the supplies would meet Botswana’s urgent needs and help health workers protect themselves while fighting against the third wave of COVID-19. 

Mr Wang pointed out that the whole world was facing an unprecedented global health threat which could only be won through solidarity and cooperation. 

It was therefore important that China and Botswana worked together to address COVID-19 challenges, he said. 

He stated that the two countries had been working closely since the outbreak of COVID-19 with China donating much-needed medical supplies including 200 000 doses of Sinovac vaccine. 

Mr Wang spoke against stigmatising the pandemic, putting a geographic label on the virus and politicising its origin. 

He called for strengthening of international vaccine cooperation to save lives rather than political manipulation and finger pointing. 

The ambassador revealed that China would host the first international forum on COVID-19 vaccine cooperation to strengthen collaboration as well as promote fair and equitable distribution of the medicines. 

Mr Wang said the meeting would also help improve accessibility and affordability in developing countries, including Botswana. 

He said China would continue to stand side by side with Botswana to face COVID-19 challenges. 

“We are looking forward to building an even closer partnership with the UNFPA and the Government of Botswana to strengthen mutual trust and coordination in concerted efforts to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for Botswana,” he stated. 

UNFPA Botswana office head, Ms Mareledi Segotso,  said through funding from China International Development Cooperation Agency, the organisation had received about P5.5 million (US$500 000) for another project. 

She said the aim of the project, expected in a few months time, was to strengthen prevention, control and response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as procurement of contraceptives. ends