Botswana's Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti tries a digital locker for medicine dispensing during the launch ceremony of this program in Gaborone, Botswana, March 30, 2023. Botswana's health ministry has launched a digital medicine dispensing program in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city. The e-locker program allows clients to collect medications 24 hours a day, saving them time away from work, school, or long lines at the health facilities. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
GABORONE, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's health ministry has launched a digital medicine dispensing program in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city.
The e-locker program allows clients to collect medications 24 hours a day, saving them time away from work, school, or long lines at the health facilities.
During a launching ceremony on Thursday, Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti said e-lockers provide an alternative pick-up point for medicine for many Batswana (Botswana people) who live with chronic medical conditions that necessitate multiple visits to health facilities.
"Through this development, we are taking a step further to expand access to medicines by overcoming time constraints experienced at the public health facilities and private pharmacies, which have operating hours," the minister said.
The program will make patients' lives easier and more flexible, Dikoloti said.
Once registered, patients will receive a code in their mobile phones that will allow them to access the medicines at the nearest e-locker.
Botswana Post will handle distribution for the program due to its nationwide presence. ■
Botswana's Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti tries a digital locker for medicine dispensing during the launch ceremony of this program in Gaborone, Botswana, March 30, 2023. Botswana's health ministry has launched a digital medicine dispensing program in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city. The e-locker program allows clients to collect medications 24 hours a day, saving them time away from work, school, or long lines at the health facilities. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)