The multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which has emerged over time, is a threat to the gains that the Ministry of Health has made over the years, Minister Dr. Edwin Dikoloti has said.
Receiving a consignment of Tav Cycloserine and Tav Linezolid (both anti-Tuberculosis medicines), being a donation from the government of India, Dr. Dikoloti explained that TB remains a priority for public health and is the most important opportunistic infection among people living with HIV.
The Minister said that the treatment for MDR-TB is not only long but it is also very expensive for both the government and the clients.
However, he was happy that In line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 3 which speaks of good health and wellbeing for all people of all ages, the government of Botswana is committed to restoring dignity and health to individuals affected by TB. He said that the donation is “very crucial” for the treatment of MDR-TB and will continue to help and contribute to reducing the government expenditure on treatment and ensuring the availability of drugs for Batswana.
Furthermore, the minister observed that the donation comes at a time when the country is realising an increase in the proportion of drug-resistant TB. He said it is evident that the consequences of TB go beyond just the health sector because the mortality and morbidity associated with it and in particular MDR-TB is very high.
“The MDR-TB leaves those affected and their families in poverty and despair and some with life-long side effects from this treatment”, Dikoloti said.
Dikoloti noted that the donation, which the Indian High Commissioner to Botswana Dr. Rajesh Ranjan, described as an affirmation of the “bonds of affinity” between the peoples of India and Botswana, comes at a time when a less toxic treatment regimen for the MDR-TB treatment has been adopted.
The Minister said they look forward to the implementation of a shorter regimen for their clients and expressed gratitude to the Indian government for their support towards the health of Batswana.
“It is my hope that we shall sustain the existing partnership between the two countries as we strive towards ending TB by the year 2025”, Dikoloti said.
Dr Ranjan, who was accompanied by the Second Secretary from the Indian High Commission in Gaborone, Jeevan Kandpal, noted that sharing of medicines is one of the most-noble objectives among several initiatives taken by the government of India, as it positively contributes to the prosperity of society. The High Commissioner reminded his audience that India had also donated 30 000 doses of Covid 19 vaccines to Botswana last year March.
As part of activities towards the Anniversary of India’s Independence, Dr Ranjan mentioned that Indian doctors stationed in Botswana held a medical camp for cancer for more than 100 people at the end of May in Kopong.
He said they will be commemorating the 8th International Day of Yoga in Gaborone on the 19th of June in Gaborone and 26th of June in Francistown.
India is the largest producer and supplier of generic drugs meeting over 50 percent of the global demand for various drugs.
Receiving a consignment of Tav Cycloserine and Tav Linezolid (both anti-Tuberculosis medicines), being a donation from the government of India, Dr. Dikoloti explained that TB remains a priority for public health and is the most important opportunistic infection among people living with HIV.
The Minister said that the treatment for MDR-TB is not only long but it is also very expensive for both the government and the clients.
However, he was happy that In line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 3 which speaks of good health and wellbeing for all people of all ages, the government of Botswana is committed to restoring dignity and health to individuals affected by TB. He said that the donation is “very crucial” for the treatment of MDR-TB and will continue to help and contribute to reducing the government expenditure on treatment and ensuring the availability of drugs for Batswana.
Furthermore, the minister observed that the donation comes at a time when the country is realising an increase in the proportion of drug-resistant TB. He said it is evident that the consequences of TB go beyond just the health sector because the mortality and morbidity associated with it and in particular MDR-TB is very high.
“The MDR-TB leaves those affected and their families in poverty and despair and some with life-long side effects from this treatment”, Dikoloti said.
Dikoloti noted that the donation, which the Indian High Commissioner to Botswana Dr. Rajesh Ranjan, described as an affirmation of the “bonds of affinity” between the peoples of India and Botswana, comes at a time when a less toxic treatment regimen for the MDR-TB treatment has been adopted.
The Minister said they look forward to the implementation of a shorter regimen for their clients and expressed gratitude to the Indian government for their support towards the health of Batswana.
“It is my hope that we shall sustain the existing partnership between the two countries as we strive towards ending TB by the year 2025”, Dikoloti said.
Dr Ranjan, who was accompanied by the Second Secretary from the Indian High Commission in Gaborone, Jeevan Kandpal, noted that sharing of medicines is one of the most-noble objectives among several initiatives taken by the government of India, as it positively contributes to the prosperity of society. The High Commissioner reminded his audience that India had also donated 30 000 doses of Covid 19 vaccines to Botswana last year March.
As part of activities towards the Anniversary of India’s Independence, Dr Ranjan mentioned that Indian doctors stationed in Botswana held a medical camp for cancer for more than 100 people at the end of May in Kopong.
He said they will be commemorating the 8th International Day of Yoga in Gaborone on the 19th of June in Gaborone and 26th of June in Francistown.
India is the largest producer and supplier of generic drugs meeting over 50 percent of the global demand for various drugs.
