LUSAKA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has dispatched a consignment of essential medicines to Botswana, which is currently experiencing critical medicine shortages, said a statement released by the Ministry of Health late Sunday.
Georgia Chimombo, principal public relations officer at the ministry, said the ministry released a 20-ton consignment of essential medicines to support Botswana's immediate needs.
"Botswana's medicine shortages have arisen from a combination of economic and systemic factors. These challenges have led to stock-outs of medicines for conditions such as HIV, cancer, and diabetes, necessitating urgent intervention," she said in the statement.
She said the consignment consists of 12 tons from the Zambian government and eight tons from private sector companies, adding that the medicines have been handed over to Botswana's Central Medical Stores for distribution to health facilities.
Chimombo noted that the private sector consignment was mobilized and facilitated by the Zambian government and that Botswana is paying for the medicines.
She emphasized that the intervention has not compromised the availability of medicines in Zambia, following a careful assessment of national stock levels.
Zambia's ability to support a neighboring country in this manner reflects the strides the government has made in strengthening medicines procurement, supply chain management, and overall health system resilience, she said.
According to Chimombo, public health challenges extend beyond national borders, and Zambia's decision to support a neighboring country during a health emergency contributes to regional health security and protects the well-being of populations across the southern African region. ■