18 Dec 2025

Drugs availability in the district remains a challenge in Francistown.
Addressing the session of Francistown City Council this week, Mayor Mr Gaone Majere said the average availability of vital drugs for October 2025 were recorded at 73 per cent, with essential drugs at 69 per cent while necessary drugs stood at eight per cent.
As for non-drugs, he said stood at 86 per cent adding that overall, the district’s average drug availability stood at 77 per cent, falling short of the 97 per cent target.
Furthermore, Mr Majere shared that as of December 1, 2025, the availability of Antiretrovirals (ARVs) was at 73 per cent adding that Anti-Retroviral Therapy services were provided at 15 out of the 17 facilities.
He explained that the Primary Health Care (PHC) continues to adopt micro-procurement methods for acquiring drugs and non-drugs while awaiting supplies from Central Medical Stores.
He therefore informed councilors that Francistown City Council assumed responsibility for Primary Health Care in April 2025, a process that was generally seamless.
He said that currently, the Primary Health Care Department was operating with 16 doctors covering 17 clinics within the city, of which four clinics were providing 24 hour service;  Area W Clinic covered by five doctors on shifts, Donga Clinic covered by three doctors on-call.
However, he said Jubilee and Gerald Clinics were without a resident doctor, but covered on a rotational basis.
In addition, Mr Majere said due to shortage of personnel, some clinics were not covered by doctors adding that some clinics were in bad state.
Such clinics, he said included Gerald Clinic which its maternity wing has structural defects posing a danger to both staff and clients, resulting in management taking the decision to relocate  maternity services to Donga clinic to give way for maintenance.
Furthermore, the mayor explained that a number of tuberculosis patients were facing Multi Drug resistance.
To this end, he said there were nine such patients who received support in the form of food rations and were monitored through smear microscopy procedures.
He also said the hospital recently marked the inauguration of newly updated paediatric theatre, courtesy of Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) from Britain.
He said the theatre was the first space in the hospital dedicated solely to surgical procedures for paediatric patients.
“We express our heartfelt gratitude to Kids OR for their outstanding initiative. This facility is not just a room with equipment, it is a critical infrastructure for a healthier, more inclusive future for our children,” said Mr Majere.
The mayor also informed Councilors about the President’s National Clean-Up Campaign dedicated for every second Saturday of each month.
He said the community and leadership-led initiative emphasised the responsibility of every community member, including businesses and institutions, to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.
“In response to this national call, the district leadership, along with all stakeholders, launched the initiative on December 12, 2025 to fully mobilise the communities of Francistown,” he said. ENDS