Zambia Sends Emergency Medicines to Botswana
Zambia has provided emergency medical supplies to neighbouring Botswana following a public health emergency caused by critical shortages of essential medicines, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.
In a statement issued by Georgia Mutale, Chimombo Principle Public Relations Officer, the Ministry said the Government facilitated the release of a 20-tonne consignment of essential medicines to support Botswana’s immediate health needs.
The shortages in Botswana have been attributed to a combination of economic and systemic challenges, resulting in stock-outs of medicines used to treat HIV, cancer and diabetes.
The consignment was airlifted from Zambia aboard a Botswana Defence Force (BDF) C130 aircraft and received at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport by BDF personnel and officials from Botswana’s Ministry of Health.
The medicines have since been handed over to Botswana’s Central Medical Stores for distribution to health facilities across the country.
The Ministry of Health assured the Zambian public that the intervention would not affect the availability of medicines in Zambia, stating that the decision followed a thorough assessment of national stock levels to ensure continued access to essential medicines for Zambians.
According to the Ministry, Zambia’s ability to assist reflects progress made in strengthening medicines procurement, supply chain management and overall health system resilience. These reforms, it said, are designed to guarantee uninterrupted access to essential medicines nationwide.
The Government emphasised that public health emergencies often transcend national borders, and that supporting neighbouring countries contributes to regional health security and protects populations across Southern Africa.
The Ministry commended the coordinated efforts between Zambian and Botswana health authorities, as well as the Botswana Defence Force, for enabling the timely and secure transportation of the medical supplies.
The statement reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its citizens while contributing responsibly to regional solidarity and shared health resilience.
