Ministry Steps Up Response to Shortage Of Medicine
10 Jun 2026
Minister of Health, Dr Stephan Modise, has assured Batswana that government is intensifying efforts to address medicine shortages and expects the situation to improve in the coming weeks.
In an interview on Botswana Television (Btv) yesterday, Dr Modise described the current shortages as "quite unfortunate and totally undesirable", saying they stemmed from longstanding challenges inherited from a healthcare system that was struggling to adequately serve the public.
"The declaration of the state of public health emergency last year was one of our major acknowledgements to Batswana that we inherited a close to non-functional health system that could hardly serve its people," he said.
Dr Modise said government had already taken practical steps to stabilise the supply of medicines, including procuring bulk quantities of essential medicines through international suppliers and through a procurement arrangement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He revealed that of the 338 products ordered through the UAE arrangement, 37 product lines had already been received, while another batch of 105 products started arriving last Friday, with more consignments expected over the next two to three weeks.
"Among the medicines that have so far been received are antibiotics, large volume infusion fluids, medicines for allergies, insulins and some eye preparations. Most of them have already been dispatched to facilities for consumption," he said.
Dr Modise said vaccines, antiretroviral medicines, cancer treatments and tuberculosis medicines remained available at optimum levels.
However, he highlighted that shortages continued to affect medicines used to treat hypertension, diabetes and eye conditions, as well as sexual and reproductive health products such as condoms and contraceptives.
"Therefore, we are hopeful that the stock situation is expected to improve in the next few weeks," he said.
Looking ahead, the minister said government was reviewing its procurement strategy to improve efficiency, strengthen supply chains and establish long-term supply agreements.
He said plans were also underway to digitalise inventory management systems and support the development of a local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
"We are fully aware of this difficult situation that we all find ourselves in and our commitment to permanently address the shortages amidst the financial challenges remains unwavering," said Dr. Modise. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Taboka Ngwako
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Date : 10 Jun 2026
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