27 Mar 2022

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has spent over P1.7 billion on COVID-19 between February 2020 and March this year to strengthen healthcare delivery system.

Assistant minister, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe informed Parliament that the funds were part of the P2.9 billion that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had disbursed from the COVID Relief Fund towards the fight against the pandemic.

Mr Lelatisitswe said the fund was established in 2020 under the Public Finance Management Act to support government’s efforts in responding to socio-economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic through provision of relief funding for control, prevention and treatment of the disease.

“Structurally the fund was administered by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development while the finance minister is be responsible for management of fund through the appointed management committee,” he explained.

He stated that on March 14 this year, the fund also received over P3 billon through various contributions with government’s capital at over P2 billion, payroll contribution at P10.8 million, donations at P128 million and Industry Support Facility at 1.3 billion.

“P46 million was paid from the COVID Relief Fund by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development as 30 per cent upfront payment for the purchase of the Moderna vaccine on May 17, 2021. 

The other 30 per cent was paid directly by the Ministry of Health and Wellness under the COVID-19 Relief recurrent vote, while the remaining 40 per cent of the cost was paid by Debswana.”

However, Mr Lelatisitswe told the house that the actual expenditure disbursement by different ministries would be confirmed once reconciliation and financial reports were submitted and analysed.

He added that the current balance for the COVID-19 Relief Fund was over P486 million out of which P462 million was remaining budget for Industry Support Facility while P24 million was the general balance of the fund.

Meanwhile, he said the COVAX Facility was launched in April 2020 and was the first to offer supply of COVID-19 vaccine and was also the first that became available for the country to get vaccine.

“This country joined this facility in October 2020 and immediately made an upfront payment as a way of placing an order for vaccines,” he said.

Mr Lelatisitswe was responding to a question by Mahalapye West MP, Mr David Tshere, who had requested for an update on the amount that government had spent in procuring vaccines from the COVID-19 Relief Fund thus far.

Mr Tshere also wanted to know how much was budgeted for upgrading and capacitation of the public healthcare sector as well as the amount that government had spent so far in the fight against COVID-19, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), direct awards of tenders for other medical supplies and vaccines. 

He further wanted to know how much was held in the COVID-19 Relief Fund (balance) and when Botswana first placed its orders for vaccines, including from the COVAX facility. ends