African health ministers kick off region’s flagship health meeting

The meeting will focus on a range of strategies to bolster health systems, enhance readiness and response to health emergencies

African health ministers and government representatives today opened the Seventy-third session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa to discuss and agree on key measures to address the region’s health challenges, advance and promote good health and well-being. The annual gathering – WHO Africa’s highest decision-making body…

Coronavirus: Botswana, South Africa deepen probe into new Omicron sub-variants

The identified sub-lineages variant are BA.4 and BA.5

Researchers in Botswana and South Africa have detected new sub-lineages of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 and are carrying out further investigations to fully understand crucial traits such as infectivity and virulence. The identified sub-lineages variant are BA.4 and BA.5. World Health Organization (WHO) experts are working with scientists…

Low funding, COVID-19 curtail tuberculosis fight in Africa

Every year the African region requires at least US$ 1.3 billion for TB prevention and treatment

Inadequate investment and funding for tuberculosis (TB) control in Africa is jeopardizing the efforts to meet the global target of ending the disease by 2030, while the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to roll back progress made so far in the continent, an assessment by World Health Organization (WHO) finds. Every year…

Botswana is first country with severe HIV epidemic to reach key milestone in the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission

Botswana has achieved the “silver tier” status, which moves it closer to eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission

Botswana has become the first high-burden country to be certified for achieving an important milestone on the path to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the World Health Organization (WHO). High-burden HIV countries are defined as those with more than 2% of pregnant women living with the virus. Botswana has…

WHO Stands with African Nations and Calls for Borders to Remain Open

Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods

As a growing number of countries impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant, World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to follow science and the International Health Regulations (2005). Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but…

Coronavirus – Botswana: Learning from Botswana’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout

With WHO support, Botswana is one of four African countries that have completed an intra action review of their early COVID-19 vaccine rollout to help shape the next phase.

Africa’s largest-ever vaccination drive is well underway.52 African countries are rolling out COVID-19 vaccines and over 73 million doses have been administered on the continent. With WHO support, Botswana is one of four African countries that have completed an intra action review of their early COVID-19 vaccine rollout to help shape the next phase.…

Coronavirus - Botswana: New dawn for Botswana’s COVID-19 response

It is the first shipment of 100 000 vaccines purchased by the Government of Botswana, enabled through the COVAX Facility

A shipment of 24 000 doses of the AstraZeneca South Korea COVID-19 Vaccine, has arrived at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone. Obtained from SKBioscience in South Korea, it is the first shipment of 100 000 vaccines purchased by the Government of Botswana, enabled through the COVAX Facility.…

COVID-19 cases in Africa to top 4 million, vaccine rollout underway

Following a second wave which peaked at much higher numbers than Africa’s first surge, new case numbers declined for five weeks, and then plateaued during the past three weeks

Africa is poised to surpass 4 million COVID-19 infections this week since the continent’s first confirmed case in February 2020. The year-long battle against the virus, which has also claimed over 106 000 lives, is now receiving a crucial boost with the arrival of vaccines through the COVAX Facility –…

Coronavirus - Botswana: State of Public Emergency starts at midnight - a COVID-19 Response

After recording 4 cases of COVID-19 including 1 (one) death, His Excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi declared a State of Public Emergency which curtails non-essential services and unnecessary movement. The State of Public Emergency starts at midnight on Thursday 2nd April 2020. His Excellency, the President, has also…

Nine African Countries Agree to Begin Journey Towards Pooled Procurement to Increase Their Access to Affordable Life-Saving Vaccines

Sharing information and ultimately pooling their orders will better leverage their individual purchasing power

Nine middle-income countries in Africa have agreed to work towards pooled procurement mechanisms by first sharing vital information on their vaccine purchasing practices, including the prices they pay and their suppliers. Sharing information and ultimately pooling their orders will better leverage their individual purchasing power and thus strengthen their vaccine…