Botswana’s President Duma Boko declared a public health emergency on Monday, confirming that the national medical supply chain has collapsed, leading to a severe shortage of medicines and vital supplies in hospitals and clinics across the country. Boko stated in a televised address that the military will oversee an emergency distribution campaign, with the first trucks departing from the capital Gaborone to remote areas by this evening. The Ministry of Health had warned in early August of running out of medicines and medical supplies due to unspecified financial challenges and announced the postponement of all non-urgent surgeries. The President added, “The medical supply chain managed through central warehouses has failed. This failure caused severe disruption in providing health supplies nationwide.” He noted that the Ministry of Finance approved an emergency allocation of 250 million pula (equivalent to 17.35 million USD) to purchase medicines and supplies.

Botswana’s budget faces significant pressure this year due to a prolonged downturn in the global diamond market, as the country is the largest diamond producer by value. Additionally, the administration of US President Donald Trump reduced funding allocated to support Botswana’s health sector, though the government has not clarified whether this contributed to worsening the crisis. Boko explained that government purchase prices for medical supplies were “excessive” and that current distribution systems cause losses, waste, and spoilage. In a statement issued on August 4, the Ministry of Health revealed it owes one billion pula (about 69.4 million USD) to private health facilities and suppliers, exacerbating financial challenges. The ministry reported that medicines for hypertension, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, eye diseases, asthma, reproductive health, and mental health are all nearly depleted, alongside shortages of dressings and surgical sutures.