30 Oct 2022

The over US$6 million (over P80 million) worth of equipment received from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is critically needed for primary health care.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Setlhomo Lelatisitswe in Gaborone Friday when receiving the ICT equipment, four ultra-cold chain freezers and over two million syringes for administration of Pfizer vaccine to the 5-11 age group.

The equipment’s arrival was timely given that Botswana had started vaccinating children against COVID-19, he said.

In her remarks, UNICEF representative, Ms Alexandra Illmer said the continuing partnership between the US and Botswana was pivotal in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which entailed vaccinating the most vulnerable, providing emergency supplies and bolstering economic recovery.

Ms Illmer said the donation was part of COVID-19 assistance through UNICEF as USAID’s implementing partner.

She said USAID was working with the Ministry of Health to ensure the vaccination of all children in Botswana.

“The vaccines and the effective cold chain technology needed to store and administer them are central elements to Botswana’s strategy for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ms Illmer. ends