04 Sep 2025

Nyangabgwe Hospital in Francistown, a key referral facility for the northern region of Botswana, has received a shipment of various medications, providing some relief from the ongoing drug shortage that has persisted for some time.

Hospital Superintendent Dr Ivan Kgetse reported that the hospital received 20 types of medications, including both oral and injectable forms, on Saturday morning.

However, he stressed that many critical drugs needed by specialists were yet to arrive saying the hospital anticipated more deliveries in the near future.

Due to the shortage, the hospital had temporarily suspended non-emergency operations, although emergency procedures continued, often requiring patients to procure certain necessary medications themselves.

Dr Kgetse mentioned that this was particularly true in situations where the hospital lacked essential drugs, especially in the operating theatre, where anesthetics to facilitate surgeries were critically low.

While he expressed optimism about additional shipments on the horizon, Dr Kgetse noted that the current supply primarily consisted of medications typically dispensed at clinics, rather than those specifically required for a hospital of Nyangabgwe’s capacity.

This,he said included a continued shortage of pain relief medications.

Dr Kgetse remained hopeful that the hospital would receive the necessary specialist drugs soon, emphasising the urgency of the situation across all wards affected by the shortage. ENDS