21 Aug 2025

Government has taken steps to tackle present challenges facing the Ministry of Health.

Addressing the community of Somerset East on August 20, Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said a decision was taken allowing the ministry to directly purchase medicines from manufacturers, eliminating the use of agents.

“The use of agents in purchasing of medicines was more expensive. We want to buy directly, which means we can save up to 70 per cent of the budget,” he said

Mr Mmolotsi, who is also the Minister of Environment and Tourism  said  government had reached a decision to set up a pharmaceutical warehouses within the country.  

 Additionally, he said as part of ongoing interventions to rescue the health crisis, the Vice President, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe was currently on an official visit in Japan to engage more on majors to address drugs shortage.

The Francistown South MP remained hopeful that with time, given the ongoing interventions, the situation would normalise.

Meanwhile, residents of Somerset East commended their MP for giving them timely updates from Parliament. However some issues of concern emanated from the meeting.

Mr Sani Mojeremani was concerned by increasing unemployment rate in the city. He urged Mr Mmolotsi to advocate for re-opening of Botswana Meat Commission abattoir in Francistown which he said used to hire a good number of people.

Ms Thabo Ramontsho, echoed the same sentiments that unemployment especially on graduate youth was a serious concern in need of urgent interventions.

Ms Maipelo Mabutho, pleaded with MP Mmolotsi to take cognisance of the illiterate at an era where advancement and use of technology was the norm.

Even though appreciated, she said such developments could somehow hinder those who did not know much about technology to miss on opportunities and other new developments.

Mr Mmolotsi assured  residents that despite ongoing economic challenges government  was taking all possible measures to introduce interventions aimed at lessening the impact of financial crisis. BOPA