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**Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency as Medicine Shortages Cripple Healthcare System**

GABORONE, Botswana – Botswana has declared a public health emergency as its national medical supply chain collapses, leaving the country grappling with severe shortages of essential medicines and equipment. President Duma Boko announced the dire situation on Monday, citing depleted government funds, steep cuts in U.S. aid, and inflated medicine prices as the primary drivers of the crisis.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness had previously warned of a “severely strained” system, with $75 million owed to private healthcare providers and suppliers. Hospitals are now experiencing shortages of medications for a wide range of illnesses, including hypertension, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, asthma, mental health issues, and sexual health concerns. Elective surgeries have been postponed, and even basic supplies like dressings and sutures are running low.

“The medical supply chain, as run by central medical stores, has failed,” President Boko stated in a televised address. “This failure has led to a severe disruption to health supplies countrywide.”

The government has approved 250 million pula ($18.7 million) in emergency funding to address the immediate shortages. The military will oversee the distribution of emergency medicines, prioritizing deprived rural areas. President Boko also highlighted the unsustainably high prices of medicine, claiming they are often inflated five to ten times above market value.

The crisis is compounded by a shrinking national budget due to the downturn in the global diamond market, a key source of revenue for Botswana. Furthermore, significant cuts in U.S. aid, particularly under the Trump administration, have severely impacted the country’s ability to provide healthcare. Prior to the cuts, the US funded a third of Botswana’s HIV response and contributed $12 million through The Global Fund to fight malaria and tuberculosis.

UNICEF has called for urgent action to address the escalating crisis, highlighting that one in five children are underweight in a western district near the Namibian border. The international community is watching closely as Botswana struggles to navigate this critical public health emergency.

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