Botswana Federation of Trade Unions has noted a Press Statement issued by the Ministry of Health on the 04th August 2025, updating the Nation on the medical commodities challenges facing our Public Health Sector. The statement sadly depicts a collapsing health care system, where priority will only be given to emergency and urgent surgical operations. It further informs the public of the suspension of the chronic medicines dispensing program temporarily, but does not give a timeline as to when things are expected to get back to normal.
On the 27th August 2024, BFTU launched its worker’s manifesto and amongst its priorities was Public Health and Welfare.BFTU regards a healthy nation as an asset and a basis for sustainable development, that access to quality health care is both a constitutional and human right that should be extended to all citizens, that people are the nation’s greatest asset and that no meaningful and sustainable national development can occur when the population does not enjoy the highest levels of health possible.
It is however sad to note that in the advent of such a health crises, a tender worth P662 607 535.46 is issued to a private company on the 30th July 2025 by the Ministry of Basic Education, Corporate Services for services that are not an emergency in their nature. This clearly depicting a Government getting its priorities wrong. This is unacceptable and stands to be condemned. Under these circumstances, BFTU believes that priority should be given to our Health system and whatever that can be salvaged from Government accounts must be directed to the health of its citizens.
We acknowledge that Government has of recent introduced some austerity measures considering the economic situation besieging the country, which amongst others includes reduced travel and less overtime work. However BFTU wishes to caution that, such should not only apply to those in the Rank and File, but must be seen to be done by the Executives as well. Government must also ensure that whatever is saved through these measures must be directed towards saving our health care system and ensuring that citizen’s lives are spared.
