22 Sep 2022

Botswana continues to play an active role in contributing to the international agenda on ensuring that access to medicines is part and parcel of healthcare, President Dr  Mokgweetsi  Masisi has said.

Contributing  during  the  general debate  at the  77th  United Nations  General Assembly on September 22, he said Botswana recently joined other UN  member states in co-sponsoring a general assembly resolution calling for the convening of a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

“We also continue to actively participate in the ongoing process towards the possible elaboration of a pandemic treaty because such a legally binding instrument will strengthen existing global address and react more speedily to health emergencies,” he noted. 

He said the fact that many countries, especially in Africa had not met WHO’s 70 per cent target of their populations being fully vaccinated by mid-2022 underscored the urgent need to continue promoting vaccine equity through international solidarity.

“Despite the challenges we encountered, which were common to many developing countries, Botswana has procured enough vaccines to administer to all eligible groups, thus enabling significant progress with 64 per cent of our population now fully vaccinated,” he said  

As part of overcoming the challenges of global vaccine inequity, President Masisi  said government had approved the manufacturing of the patent-free Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine, and construction of a vaccine manufacturing plant had already commenced.

He  said the facility would produce cancer treatment and next generation cell-based immunotherapy adding  that the initiative was being undertaken in partnership with NantWorks, Texas Children’s Hospital, Center for Vaccine Development and the Baylor College of Medicine. 

“This partnership will enhance Botswana’s capacity in human vaccine production, contribute to our goal of building a knowledge-based economy and help in preparations for future pandemics,” he said.

Stating that vaccine rollout remained a pre-condition for sustainable recovery from the  COVID-19 pandemic, President Masisi however said Botswana’s recovery plans included strengthening the country’s social protection system to ensure inclusion of vulnerable groups such as persons living with disabilities.

 The President mentioned the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan which he said was intended to fast track recovery efforts while advancing implementation of Agenda 2030.

He said for the country’s recovery efforts to succeed and in order to achieve sustainable development, adequate financing was needed.  

Effective mobilisation of domestic and international financial resources as well as their prudent utilisation was therefore imperative, said Dr Masisi. Ends