News & Analysis: Botswana
“African health officials aim to vaccinate at least 30 percent of the 1.2 billion population by the end of the year, rising to 60 percent or higher after that. But supply constraints, logistical problems and vaccine hesitancy mean immunisation campaigns have been patchy.”
“Botswana’s president will miss a Southern African regional meeting he had been due to chair on Thursday to discuss recent attacks on Mozambique after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, prompting him to self-quarantine, his office said on Tuesday.”
“The diamond-rich southern Africa country agreed deals with vaccine manufacturers to cover inoculation of 1.9 million people out of a total population of 2.4 million. Those eligible for vaccination, or are above 18 years, are 1.6 million.”
“Botswana has been battling a surge of cases which earlier this month forced the government to extend a state of public emergency by a further six months to curb the spread of the virus.”
“What worries me most is that the continent doesn’t get its vaccination program in order in a timely fashion. That means we have to pursue an aggressive process not a passive process.”
“Access to education has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments across southern Africa closed down educational institutions for the greater part of 2020. At the beginning of 2021, we are beginning to see some of the costs.”
“Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti says in view of the new strain, coupled with the evidence of the soaring numbers of COVID-19 cases, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi had approved the extension of the travel restrictions imposed under the emergency powers regulation”
“A deal struck by South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine in Port Elizabeth will bring technology transfer but may not increase the supply of vaccines to the continent.”
“Africa’s mobile phone operators are ramping up plans to bring banking to millions of Africans, in some cases for the first time, after the coronavirus crisis caused a surge in use of digital financial services.”
“Governments across the continent are beginning to shift responsibility for public health on to companies and individuals as they seek to restart their economies after months of disruption.”
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