14 Aug 2022

There is a modest recovery in medicines supply chain system after shortages which were caused by interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answering a question in Parliament on Friday, Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, however, said various factors such as shortage of shipping containers and rising fuel and freight costs continued to affect the sourcing of medicines.

He said his ministry had undertaken multi-pronged efforts to mitigate the impact of medicine shortage in clinics and hospitals. He said such efforts included initiation of the critical emergency procurement both locally and internationally as well as engagement of development partners at various embassies.

"Through such engagements we were able to procure available stocks that are continuing to get delivered. While these emergency procurements are in process, the regular tendering processes are also being undertaken for supply sustainability. So far, we were able to ensure availability of most of the vaccines required for vaccination of children under the age of five," said the minister.

Dr Dikoloti stated that landlocked countries like Botswana were also vulnerable to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the supply system. He said the vulnerability was more pronounced in countries that relied more on imports like Botswana.

"We continue to receive stocks of various medicines procured from the local market through the RFQs (Request For Quotations) and the waivers. Stocks that were ordered from UNICEF are expected next month. Further, we have already received medical supplies for some critical conditions," said the minister.

He said the ministry had learned the importance of shortening procurement processes and the timely planning and tendering for medical supplies to avoid shortages in future. He added that delegation of some powers to lower structures was also necessary in order to reduce the process of approval for purchase. Additionally, Dr Dikoloti said there was need to procure critical medical supplies in large quantities bearing in mind their shelves life so that they could last a longer period. He said there should be facilitation of local manufacturing of medicines, since almost every medicine used in the country was imported.

Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas had asked the minister to provide update on the shortage of medicines in the country. He also asked the minister to state when the shortage of medicines was likely to ease, and the lessons learnt from the current shortages that may inform procurement of medicines in future. ends