AGP Executive Report

Medicine shortages hit children: UNICEF warns Botswana’s strained health system is leaving children paying the price, citing medicine stock problems, weaker immunisation, fewer community health workers, and supply-chain gaps that mean “proximity” to clinics doesn’t guarantee quality care. Doctors push back on “progress” claims: The Botswana Doctors Union says public statements about improving medicine supply are premature, stressing that stock-outs remain widespread in hospitals and clinics—especially affecting patients who need treatment consistently. Bulawayo assault case raises safety alarms: Police report four women allegedly lured to bushy areas near Mpilo Central Hospital and UCE, robbed and raped over four months, with victims described as stranded travellers or people seeking help. Regional health cooperation: Botswana and Lesotho pledge deeper strategic partnership, including water and energy plans and a pledge of 100,000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine—framing it as regional solidarity. Climate risks to child health: UNICEF reports almost all children worldwide face climate hazards, with overlapping threats like drought, extreme heat, floods, and even malaria risks that can overwhelm health and social services. Fodder strategy for resilience: Botswana launches a national fodder strategy to cut reliance on imported animal feed and build climate-smart agriculture, aiming to strengthen livestock productivity and dairy growth.

Medicine Supply Crisis: Botswana Doctors Union says “victory is premature” after government updates on medicine procurement, warning stock-outs of vital drugs remain widespread in public hospitals and clinics, especially remote areas, and that premature public claims could erode trust. Food & Health Costs: Reports note rising meat and fish prices, with consumers shifting to alternatives as prices climb—an issue that can worsen nutrition and health outcomes. Livestock Disease & Exports: Foot-and-mouth disease control remains in focus regionally, with vaccination and certification pathways discussed as countries work to restore meat exports. Agriculture Resilience: Botswana launched a National Fodder Strategy to boost climate-smart fodder production, cut feed import dependence, and strengthen livestock resilience. Public Health Systems: Regional leaders, including Zimbabwe’s President, urged sustained investment in resilient health systems and local capacity to prevent and respond to outbreaks. Climate Risk to Children: UNICEF warns almost all children face at least one climate hazard, with overlapping drought, heat, floods, and disease risks threatening health services and nutrition. Environment & Health: Botswana plans a full ban on single-use plastics by 2027, linking cleaner ecosystems to public health and wildlife protection. Health Sector Innovation: A Botswana Vaccine Institute contract signals continued investment in clean room and HVAC systems supporting medical research and production capacity.

Medicine supply alarm: Botswana Doctors Union says stock-outs remain widespread, especially in remote areas, and warns that government “victory” claims on medicine availability could erode public trust. Emergency care pressure: A report describes a family forced to travel over 50km after a public clinic allegedly lacked medicines for a severely burned infant, raising fears about access to essential treatment when it matters most. Child sexual abuse case: A Hatcliffe man faces charges after alleged repeated sexual assaults on his stepdaughter over six years, with the case reportedly coming to light after pregnancy signs. Climate-health risks: UNICEF warns almost all children worldwide face climate hazards, including drought, extreme heat, floods and malaria risks—threatening water, health care and nutrition systems. Food and health link: Botswana launched a National Fodder Strategy to boost climate-smart feed production and strengthen livestock resilience, aiming to cut import dependence and support dairy growth. Animal disease and food prices: Foot-and-mouth disease control efforts continue regionally, while Botswana consumers face higher meat and fish prices amid livestock movement and slaughter restrictions.

Public Health & Medicines: A Botswana family’s rushed trip from a Mankgodi clinic to Bokamoso Private Hospital after severe scald burns highlights ongoing medicine shortages in public facilities, raising urgent questions about emergency care access and what happens when transport or supplies fail. Climate Risk & Child Health: UNICEF warns that almost all children worldwide face climate hazards, with 1.8 billion at risk from drought and 1.2 billion from extreme heat, plus overlapping risks that can overwhelm health and social services; the report also flags links to air pollution and malaria. Food & Feed Security: Botswana launched a National Fodder Strategy to cut reliance on imported animal feed and build climate resilience, promoting fodder crops like lablab and lucerne while targeting growth in livestock and dairy. Animal Health & Trade: Foot-and-mouth disease is in a declining phase in the region, with officials saying meat exports could resume within months if assessments and vaccination certification pathways are met. Environment & Public Health: Botswana plans a full ban on single-use plastics by 2027, aiming to protect ecosystems, wildlife and public health beyond the existing plastic levy.

Public Health & Medicines: A Botswana family’s rushed transfer from a Mankgodi clinic to Bokamoso Private Hospital after severe scald burns highlights ongoing medicine shortages in public facilities and the real risk when urgent care depends on what’s in stock. Ebola Preparedness: President Mnangagwa urged sustained investment in resilient health systems across Africa, pointing to Ebola in DRC and Uganda as a warning to strengthen prevention, research, local manufacturing, and a skilled workforce. Food & Nutrition Security: Botswana launched a National Fodder Strategy to cut reliance on imported animal feed and boost climate-smart fodder crops, aiming to grow livestock and dairy while improving resilience. Climate & Child Health: UNICEF reports almost all children worldwide face at least one climate hazard, with overlapping risks that can disrupt health services, nutrition, water access, and disease control. Livestock Disease Watch: Uganda announced a nationwide foot-and-mouth disease vaccination drive, a reminder of how preventive animal health planning protects livelihoods and food supplies. Health Tech Supply Chain: Fabtech Technologies secured a turnkey HVAC and clean-room systems order for Botswana Vaccine Institute, supporting the infrastructure behind vaccine production and safer lab environments.

Public Health & Access: A Botswana family’s scald-burn emergency at a Mankgodi clinic reportedly stalled because essential medicines were unavailable, forcing a 50+ km rush to Bokamoso Private Hospital—highlighting fears that medicine shortages and weak emergency readiness can cost lives. Climate & Child Health: UNICEF reports almost all children worldwide face climate hazards, with up to 1.8 billion at risk from droughts and 1.2 billion from extreme heat, warning that overlapping risks can overwhelm health and social services; the report also flags links to air pollution and vector-borne diseases like malaria. Agriculture & Nutrition Security: Botswana launched a National Fodder Strategy to cut reliance on imported animal feed and build climate resilience, promoting climate-smart fodder crops and aiming to boost agriculture’s GDP contribution while expanding cattle and dairy growth. Health Systems & Wellness Outreach: Bomaid is running a week-long engagement in Maun to strengthen preventative healthcare uptake, encourage corporate medical aid cover, and launch a Media App Challenge for local journalists’ health tracking. HIV Medicines & Patents: PATAM and Third World Network filed a third-party observation challenging a Gilead patent application covering broad HIV compounds across ARIPO states, arguing prior disclosure and lack of novelty/inventive step.

National Agriculture & Health Link: Botswana launched a National Fodder Strategy in Gaborone to cut reliance on imported animal feed and strengthen climate resilience, with plans to grow fodder crops like lablab and lucerne and boost livestock feed demand by about 103% by 2030. Public Health Security: The Ministry of Health says there have been isolated cases of travellers refusing Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but insists the situation is under control while awareness and monitoring continue. Medicine Access Concern: A report highlights how medicine shortages can delay urgent care, after a severely burned infant was reportedly rushed from a government clinic to a private hospital in Gaborone. Mental Health for Youth: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report promising results for a youth-led mental health intervention model in Botswana, designed for adolescents and young adults, including those living with HIV. Wellness Outreach: Botswana Medical Aid Society (Bomaid) is running a week-long engagement in Maun to promote preventative healthcare and encourage corporate uptake of medical aid cover. Disease Watch: A broader health roundup notes malaria resurgence trends, including sharp increases reported in Botswana in 2025.

Public Health & Access: A report on a severely burned infant in Mankgodi highlights how medicine shortages at a government clinic can force families to travel over 50 km for emergency care, raising urgent questions about readiness, transport barriers, and essential supplies. Disease Surveillance: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers have resisted Ebola screening at the Tlokweng border post, but insists the incidents are isolated and being managed through awareness and monitoring. Mental Health for Youth: CHOP researchers report promising results for a youth-led mental health intervention in Botswana, using trained youth facilitators to support adolescents and young people with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, or substance use. Wellness Outreach: Botswana Medical Aid Society (Bomaid) is running a week-long engagement in Maun to promote preventive health use of medical aid, including a media-focused health challenge for local journalists. Health System Pressure from Debt: New IMF data says Botswana has the fastest-growing debt surge globally, with rising borrowing potentially tightening space for public services—an issue that can spill into healthcare funding and household costs.

Medicine Shortages Expose Gaps in Emergency Care: A severely burned infant in Mankgodi was reportedly turned away at a public clinic due to missing medicines, forcing a 50+ km rush to Bokamoso Private Hospital in Gaborone—raising urgent questions about how prepared clinics are for life-threatening emergencies. Ebola Screening Resistance at Border: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers refused Ebola screening at Tlokweng Border Post, but insists the incidents are isolated and being managed through awareness and monitoring. Youth Mental Health Push: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report promise for a Botswana youth-led mental health approach (“Safe Haven”) to support adolescents and young adults with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, or substance use. Lead Poisoning Risk to People and Wildlife: A Birdlife Botswana workshop in Maun highlighted lead contamination linked to vulture deaths, with experts warning of human exposure through contaminated game meat, toxic water, and informally made cooking pots. Local Health Support Amid Drug Shortages: Farouk Ismail Group donated hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol medicines to Athlone Hospital in Lobatse, citing ongoing drug shortages.

Ebola Screening at Tlokweng: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers have resisted Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but officials insist the incidents are isolated and being managed through monitoring and awareness. Burns, Medicine Shortages, and Emergency Care: A severely burned infant was reportedly turned away at a Mankgodi clinic due to missing medicines, forcing a 50+ km trip to a private hospital in Gaborone—highlighting gaps in public emergency readiness. Youth Mental Health in Botswana: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report promise for a youth-led “Safe Haven” approach to support adolescents and young adults with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, or substance use, including for young people living with HIV. Lead Poisoning Risk in Maun: Birdlife Botswana warns of a lead-linked health crisis tied to vanishing vultures, contaminated game meat, toxic drinking water, and informally made cookware—calling for urgent public health action. Drug Donations to Athlone Hospital: Farouk Ismail Group donated hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes medicines to Athlone Hospital, citing ongoing drug shortages. Ebola Screening at Tlokweng: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers have resisted Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but officials insist the incidents are isolated and being managed through monitoring and awareness.

Ebola Screening at Tlokweng: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers have resisted Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but officials insist the cases are isolated and being monitored while awareness efforts continue. Polio Vaccination Drive: Health authorities are running a four-day polio campaign (June 8–11) with house-to-house visits and vaccination sites to reach every eligible child and protect Botswana’s polio-free status. Mental Health for Youth: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report that a youth-delivered “Safe Haven” mental health intervention shows promise for adolescents and young adults in Botswana, including underserved groups such as younger teens and those living with HIV. Lead Poisoning Warning: BirdLife Botswana highlights a growing lead contamination risk in Maun, linking it to vanishing vultures and warning of human exposure through contaminated game meat, backyard cookware, and toxic hunting ammunition. Drug Shortage Support in Lobatse: Farouk Ismail Group donated hypertension and diabetes-related medicines to Athlone Hospital, citing ongoing drug shortages and community need. Debt Pressure: Botswana has been ranked as the fastest-growing debt surge country globally, with IMF data showing a sharp deterioration in government debt over time.

Ebola Screening: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers at the Tlokweng Border Post have resisted Ebola screening, but insists the cases are isolated and being closely monitored while awareness efforts continue. Polio Vaccination Drive: Health authorities have launched a four-day polio campaign (June 8–11, 2026) using house-to-house visits and set sites to reach every eligible child and protect Botswana’s polio-free status. Adolescent Mental Health: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report that a youth-led “Safe Haven” intervention model in Botswana shows promise for teens and young adults, especially underserved groups and young people living with HIV. Lead Poisoning Risk: A BirdLife Botswana workshop in Maun warned of lead contamination linked to dying vultures and failing kidneys, with concerns that contaminated game meat, toxic drinking water, and unregulated backyard cookware could also be harming people. Local Care Support: Farouk Ismail Group donated hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol-related medicines to Athlone Hospital, citing ongoing drug shortages and community support needs. Wildlife Health Link: Two pangolin traffickers in South Africa received eight-year prison sentences, highlighting how wildlife crime and illegal trade continue to threaten biodiversity and public health.

Ebola Screening at Tlokweng: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers have resisted Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but insists the cases are isolated and being managed through awareness and monitoring. Polio Vaccination Drive: A nationwide polio campaign (June 8–11) is underway with house-to-house and site-based vaccination to protect children and maintain Botswana’s polio-free status. Mental Health for Youth: CHOP researchers report a promising youth-delivered mental health intervention in Botswana, using a youth-led problem-solving therapy model for mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, and substance use. Pharma Market Move: Botswana’s Competition and Consumer Authority has approved CFAO Healthcare’s plan to buy a 75% controlling stake in Medswana, a major pharmaceutical wholesaler, to expand the local supply chain. Lead Poisoning Warning: Experts warn of a serious lead exposure risk linked to dying vultures and failing kidneys, with concerns about contaminated game meat, toxic drinking water, and unregulated backyard cookware. Drug Supply Support: Farouk Ismail Group has donated hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes medicines to Athlone Hospital, citing ongoing drug shortages. Conservation & Health Link: Wildlife-human interaction research highlights how disease outbreaks and changing rules/practices can shift health risks and coexistence outcomes.

Ebola Screening at Borders: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers have resisted Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but officials insist the cases are isolated and being closely monitored while awareness efforts continue. Polio Vaccination Drive: A nationwide polio campaign runs June 8–11, using house-to-house visits and fixed sites to reach every eligible child and protect Botswana’s polio-free status. Mental Health for Youth: Researchers linked to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report a promising youth-led mental health approach for Botswana adolescents and young adults, including support for those living with HIV. Pharma Supply Chain Boost: Botswana’s Competition and Consumer Authority has approved CFAO Healthcare’s plan to buy a controlling stake in Medswana, a major pharmaceutical wholesaler, aiming to strengthen medicine distribution. Lead Poisoning Warning: Health and environmental experts warn of lead exposure risks tied to contaminated game meat, toxic drinking water, and unregulated backyard cookware, with concerns raised after vulture declines linked to lead poisoning. Community Health Support: Farouk Ismail Group has donated hypertension, diabetes and related medicines to Athlone Hospital, citing drug shortages and community need.

Ebola Screening at Borders: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says there have been isolated cases of travellers refusing Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but insists the situation is under control while awareness efforts continue. Polio Immunisation Push: A nationwide polio campaign (June 8–11) is underway to reach every eligible child with vaccine drops through house-to-house visits and selected sites, aiming to protect Botswana’s polio-free status. Mental Health for Youth: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report a promising youth-led mental health intervention model for Botswana adolescents and young adults, including support for those living with HIV. Pharma Supply Boost: Farouk Ismail Group has donated blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes medicines to Athlone Hospital, citing ongoing drug shortages and community support needs. Cancer Care Training: Merck Foundation highlights continued cancer capacity-building across Africa, including scholarships and training programmes aimed at improving oncology care and early diagnosis. Pharmaceutical Market Move: Botswana’s Competition and Consumer Authority has approved CFAO Healthcare’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Medswana, a major step for strengthening the country’s medicine supply chain.

Ebola Screening at Borders: Botswana’s Ministry of Health says a small number of travellers resisted Ebola screening at the Tlokweng Border Post, but insists the situation is isolated and being managed through awareness and monitoring. Mental Health for Youth: CHOP researchers report a promising youth-led mental health approach in Botswana, using trained youth facilitators to deliver problem-solving therapy for mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and substance use—especially for underserved teens and young people living with HIV. Polio Vaccination Push: A four-day national campaign (June 8–11) is underway to reach every eligible child with polio vaccine drops through house-to-house visits and vaccination sites, aiming to protect Botswana’s polio-free status. Pharma Market Move: Botswana’s Competition and Consumer Authority has approved CFAO Healthcare’s plan to buy a 75% controlling stake in Medswana, a major pharmaceutical wholesaler, with regulators saying it’s unlikely to harm competition. Drug Supply Support: The Farouk Ismail Group donated hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol medicines to Athlone Hospital in Lobatse, citing ongoing drug shortages and community need.