AGP Executive Report

Tobacco Control: Councillors are urging the government to enforce Botswana’s dormant 2021 Tobacco Control Act, warning that young people remain exposed to vaping, nicotine products and second-hand smoke. A 2024 school survey found 11.1% of children used e-cigarettes. Healthcare Cooperation: As President Duma Boko visits China, Botswana’s health ministry has highlighted decades of medical cooperation: 18 Chinese teams, with more than 600 experts, have served in the country since 1981. A new 46-member team arrived in June to support the two national referral hospitals. Regional Disease Control: South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are being urged to coordinate their response to foot-and-mouth disease, with cross-border communication and shared biosecurity measures seen as key to containing outbreaks. WHO Leadership: Botswana’s Gevorg Tamamyan is among candidates named in the race to lead the World Health Organization, as China nominates maternal and child health specialist Song Li.

Botswana’s Health Partnership: A 46-member Chinese medical team arrived in June, continuing a programme that has sent more than 600 specialists to Botswana since 1981. The teams support the country’s two referral hospitals through clinical care, mentoring and training. Regional Disease Control: Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are being urged to coordinate on foot-and-mouth disease, as outbreaks and livestock movement restrictions disrupt the region. WHO Leadership Race: China has nominated public health official Song Li to lead the WHO; Botswana’s Gevorg Tamamyan is also among the candidates for the post. Maternal and Child Health: African health experts are calling for stronger laws, reliable funding and oversight to reduce preventable deaths among women, newborns and children.

Global Health: Botswana’s Gevorg Tamamyan is among the announced contenders to lead the WHO, which is due to choose a successor to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in May 2027. Livestock Health: Botswana is negotiating animal-health protocols with potential export markets as foot-and-mouth disease restrictions squeeze farmers. South Africa says it is coordinating with Botswana and Namibia, stressing that regional control depends on cooperation. Regional Disease Risks: Zimbabwe’s malaria burden has risen sharply amid shortages of medicines, mosquito nets and weakened disease surveillance after US aid cuts. By mid-April, the country had recorded more than 65,000 cases and 174 deaths. Health Workforce: Six Botswana public-sector unions, including nurses’ unions, want government allowances reviewed, with some potentially folded into basic pay as part of wider salary reforms.

WHO Leadership: China has nominated public-health official Song Li to lead the WHO, joining a contest that includes Botswana’s Gevorg Tamamyan. The election is expected in May 2027. Foot-and-Mouth Disease: South Africa’s agriculture minister says close cooperation with Botswana and Namibia is vital to tackling FMD. Livestock movement and exports remain restricted, with biosecurity agreements needed to reopen trade. Health Workforce: Six public-sector unions, including nurses’ unions, want government allowances reviewed, with some potentially folded into basic salaries as part of wider pay reforms. Medicine Access: Batswana have been cautioned against politicising medication shortages, according to a local report.

Regional Disease Threats: Zimbabwe’s malaria burden has nearly doubled year on year, with more than 65,000 cases and 174 deaths by mid-April; aid cuts have contributed to shortages of mosquito nets, medicines and disease surveillance. Livestock Health: Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are working together against foot-and-mouth disease, with cattle movement and exports restricted until biosecurity protocols are agreed. WHO Leadership: Botswana’s Gevorg Tamamyan is among the candidates to succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in 2027, as China puts forward public-health official Song Li.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease: South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are being urged to coordinate their response to outbreaks. Botswana’s cattle movement and export restrictions remain in place, with renewed trade dependent on agreed biosecurity protocols. WHO Leadership: China has nominated health official Song Li to lead the organisation, joining a crowded race that includes Botswana’s Gevorg Tamamyan. The World Health Assembly is due to choose a successor to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in May 2027. Biotechnology: Bio Usawa has launched a Botswana subsidiary to support regional partnerships, develop local talent and expand access to biologic medicines. The company says Botswana will serve as its Southern African hub. Maternal Health: African experts are calling for stronger laws, funding and oversight to speed progress on preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths.

Biotechnology: Bio Usawa has launched a Botswana subsidiary it says will serve as its Southern African hub, supporting regional research, talent development and future biomanufacturing of biologic medicines. WHO Leadership: China has nominated health official Song Li to lead the WHO; Botswana’s Gevorg Tamamyan is also among the contenders for the post, to be decided in 2027. Livestock Health: Botswana is negotiating animal-health agreements with several countries in a bid to widen export markets for farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease restrictions.

Biotechnology: Bio Usawa has launched a Botswana subsidiary to serve as its Southern African hub, with plans to build regional research, talent and biomanufacturing capacity and improve access to biologic medicines. Medicine Access: A recent report puts Botswana’s medicine stocks at 42%, while health advocates have cautioned against politicising shortages. WHO Leadership: Armenian oncologist Gevorg Tamamyan says he personally sought Botswana’s backing for his bid to lead the WHO; the unusual nomination has prompted questions about how it was secured. Pesticide Safety: Agro suppliers warn that pesticides sold in street-side sachets are contributing to poisonings and can be difficult to trace, and are urging government agencies to strengthen oversight.

Biotechnology: Bio Usawa has launched a Botswana subsidiary, positioning the country as its Southern African hub for partnerships, skills development and future biomanufacturing, with a stated goal of widening access to affordable biologic medicines. WHO Leadership: China has nominated maternal and child health specialist Song Li to lead the WHO. Botswana’s own candidate, Armenian oncologist Gevorg Tamamyan, says he personally sought the government’s backing for the role, which will be decided ahead of 2027. Medicine Access: A report puts national medicine stocks at 42%, while Batswana have been cautioned against politicising shortages. Pesticide Safety: Agro suppliers warn that pesticides sold in street sachets are contributing to poisoning risks and urge stronger coordination and enforcement.

WHO Leadership: Armenian oncologist Gevorg Tamamyan says he approached Botswana and personally asked the government to nominate him to lead the WHO, intensifying questions over the unusual choice. Pesticide Safety: Botswana Agro Suppliers Association warns that pesticides sold in street sachets are contributing to poisonings and can be hard to trace; it wants health, agriculture and environment authorities to work together. Regional Disease Alert: Namibia reports 127 foot-and-mouth disease cases on 15 farms and has stepped up surveillance and livestock movement controls, including repairs to its border fence with Botswana. Medicine Supply: Recent reports put Botswana’s medicine stocks at 42%, as officials caution against politicising shortages.

FMD Response in Namibia: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Government is stepping up containment of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the //Kharas region, with 127 confirmed cases on 15 farms as of 5 October and 29,313 animals inspected across 68 farms. Biosecurity Measures: Cabinet approved a Critical Containment Response Plan including a buffer zone around Karasburg, repairs to the Namibia–Botswana border fence, and veterinary cordon fencing, alongside 20 surveillance teams and 10 roadblocks to monitor livestock movement. Political Pressure: Opposition leader Panduleni Itula demands a fully costed recovery plan with funding details, fencing milestones, and emergency contract disclosures, as a procurement dispute over a veterinary cordon fence continues. Regional Health Context: The outbreak is also driving wider trade disruption, including EU suspension of Namibian beef imports over FMD fears, with knock-on pressure on livelihoods across the livestock value chain. WHO Leadership Watch: Separately, reports say China plans a late bid for the WHO leadership, nominating Song Li, as the agency reshapes after major donor losses.

TB Medicines & Regulation: Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) has escalated a TB drug recall dispute to the World Health Organisation, asking WHO to engage Indian authorities over medicines found deficient in key treatment components. Medicine Supply Woes: Central Medical Stores (CMS) availability of Vital, Essential and Necessary medicines remains low, averaging 42%—with vital medicines at 49%, essential at 40% and necessary at 20% as the Ministry targets 97% by December. FMD Fallout for Farmers: Botswana feedlot operators are pushing for a science-based route to market under WOAH mechanisms as Foot and Mouth Disease restrictions leave about 6,600 cattle trapped, despite isolation, vaccination and veterinary supervision. Global Health Leadership: Indonesia’s WHO chief candidate Budi Sadikin urged the US to rejoin the agency, arguing solo action is “scientifically impossible” during pandemics. Health Systems & Procurement: Libya has joined the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism via Africa CDC to improve access and affordability of essential medicines. Labour & Skills for Health Workforces: HRDC warns prolonged unemployment and skills mismatch are leaving graduates’ training outdated before they enter the job market.

Medicine Supply Watch: Botswana’s Central Medical Stores reports VEN medicine availability at just 42% (49% vital, 40% essential, 20% necessary), leaving the public health system under strain despite emergency procurement. Regulatory Escalation: The Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) has taken the recalled TB medicines issue to the WHO, asking it to engage Indian authorities over drugs found deficient in key treatment components. Labour & Skills: A Human Resource Development Council report warns prolonged unemployment is making graduates’ skills go stale, while automation and digitalisation threaten routine jobs and raise demand for specialised, tech-ready skills. Community Health Access: Masubia Traditional Authority calls for faster development in Muyako, citing an abandoned clinic project, lack of electricity, and poor clean water. Livestock Health & Food Security: Botswana feedlot operators push for a science-based route to market as FMD restrictions trap thousands of cattle, while Namibia reports expanding FMD positives and urges strict controls. Global Health Policy: UNGA81 discussions highlight UHC and resilient primary health care as central to pandemic prevention and preparedness. Wellness & Prevention: Great Plains promotes “Wellness in the Wild” across Botswana and other countries, blending outdoor recovery with nutrition and movement.