AGP Executive Report

Tobacco Control Push: Botswana has been urged to urgently finalise and implement regulations under the Tobacco Control Act (2021) as a new 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index report warns of rising industry influence, especially through vaping and newer nicotine products. Polio Vaccination Drive: Bulawayo has started a four-day polio vaccination campaign targeting all children under five after a circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (CVDPV2) outbreak was confirmed in Malawi, with synchronized efforts across neighbouring countries including Botswana. Boys’ Mental Health Warning: Botswana’s First Lady Kaone Boko called for stronger support for empowering the boy child, warning that neglect can fuel future violence and marginalisation; the Botswana Nurses Union also cautioned that “stoicism culture” keeps many men from seeking mental health care. Regional Health Supply Disruption: Botswana Vaccine Institute production interruptions reportedly disrupted South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccine supply, forcing South Africa to source alternative doses from Argentina and contributing to costly delays. Community Wellness: IrunWithThemba’s end-of-month community run highlighted how group exercise can support health while also building social connection and support networks.

Polio Alert: Bulawayo kicks off a four-day polio vaccination drive for children under five after a circulating vaccine-derived polio type 2 (CVDPV2) outbreak was confirmed in Malawi, with vaccination points ranging from clinics and hospitals to schools, markets, churches, bus termini and house-to-house outreach. Tobacco Control Push: Botswana is urged to urgently finalise and implement Tobacco Control Act (2021) regulations as a new 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index flags rising industry influence, especially targeting young people through vaping and newer nicotine products. Food Prices & Health Costs: Rising inflation and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions are tightening cattle supply and pushing up beef prices in Botswana, adding pressure to household nutrition and spending. Governance & Health Access: Botswana plans anti-corruption reforms, including a new Anti-Corruption Bill and moves to strengthen the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), with officials warning corruption drains money meant for services like medicine and classrooms. Regional Health Security: A “One Health” message from the World Bank stresses coordinated action across human, animal and environmental health, arguing that protecting the environment is central—not optional.

Polio Alert: A four-day polio vaccination drive has started in Bulawayo, targeting all children under five after a circulating vaccine-derived polio type 2 (CVDPV2) outbreak was confirmed in Malawi, with vaccination sites ranging from clinics and hospitals to schools, churches, markets, bus termini and house-to-house outreach. Tobacco Control Push: Botswana has been urged to urgently finalise and implement Tobacco Control Act (2021) regulations as a new report flags rising tobacco and nicotine industry influence, especially through vaping and newer nicotine products aimed at young people. Hospital Staff Rights: Botswana’s High Court has halted restructuring at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) after a dispute involving the Botswana Nurses Union, with the court ordering that changes pause while a related case is finalised. Rabies Support: Chobe Holdings donated 300 rabies vaccines to North West District Council amid a deadly outbreak and shortages of essential medical supplies. GBV and Mental Health: Botswana Defence Force leadership has warned against gender-based violence and femicide, linking rising incidents to relationship breakdowns and calling for counselling and stronger discipline. One Health Reminder: A World Bank official stressed that protecting human and animal health requires coordinated action that also treats the environment as a root cause, not an afterthought.

One Health & environment: World Bank’s Valerie Hickey says “One Health” can’t work if countries ignore the environment, stressing coordinated partnerships across governments, farmers and the private sector. Polio response: Bulawayo has started a four-day polio vaccination drive for children under five after a circulating vaccine-derived polio type 2 outbreak was confirmed in Malawi, with vaccination points ranging from clinics and schools to outreach and house-to-house. Hospital restructuring blocked: Botswana Nurses Union’s dispute with Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital has led the High Court to halt restructuring until a related case is settled, protecting consultation around staff changes. Corruption crackdown: Government plans a new Anti-Corruption Bill and moves to give the DCEC full operational independence, with officials warning corruption drains money from health and basic services. Cost pressures on health basics: Rising inflation is pushing up food prices, including beef, while FMD restrictions tighten supply—adding strain to household wellbeing. Rabies emergency support: Chobe Holdings donated 300 rabies vaccines to North West amid a deadly outbreak and shortages of medical supplies. FMD cooperation: Livestock groups urge Southern Africa to fight foot-and-mouth together, saying outbreaks cross borders and require shared biosecurity action. Autism awareness gap: A feature highlights Botswana’s lack of national autism data and calls for better recognition and support for neurodiverse children. Rabies & public health access: The wider theme across coverage points to preventable disease control and medicine supply gaps as urgent health priorities.

Ebola Screening in Botswana: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has introduced tighter entry checks for travellers, including temperature screening and symptom checks for Ebola-related signs, plus health declaration forms and isolation/transfer to designated facilities if symptoms or high-risk contact are reported. Hospital Restructuring Blocked: The High Court has halted Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) restructuring after a dispute with the Botswana Nurses Union, with the matter frozen pending a final decision in another court. Autism Awareness Gap: A feature highlights that Botswana still lacks comprehensive national data on autism, even as thousands of children may be living without recognition or support. GBV Warning in the BDF: President Duma Boko has warned Botswana Defence Force officers against gender-based violence and femicide, linking incidents to relationship breakdowns and calling for counselling and discipline. Medicine Shortages Impact: A report shows how essential medicine shortages and inconsistent access are pushing patients and caregivers into crisis, including people describing suicidal thoughts when they can’t afford treatment. FMD Cooperation Across Borders: Livestock groups stress that foot-and-mouth disease can’t be controlled in isolation, urging stronger regional cooperation as vaccination and movement controls intensify.

Ebola Screening at Borders: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has introduced new precautionary measures for incoming travellers, including temperature checks and symptom screening (fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding), plus travel-history declarations for recent visits to Ebola-affected areas in the DRC or Uganda; symptomatic travellers will be isolated and sent to designated facilities. Medicine Shortages Hit Households: A Botswana case study highlights how essential drug shortages and inconsistent access can force patients to buy treatment privately, with families spending large portions of pensions and still going without for months. Ageing Care Funding Gap: With Botswana’s older population rising, reporting points to growing pressure on social protection and elder care services amid tighter public finances. FMD and Livestock Health Spillovers: Regional coverage underscores how foot-and-mouth disease control depends on cross-border cooperation, with Botswana and neighbours urged to coordinate vaccination and biosecurity to protect livelihoods and food security. Public Health Workforce and Mental Health: South Africa’s mental health workshop (including Botswana) is set to share best practice and push countries toward rapid mental health landscape analyses ahead of a major global summit. Regulation and Community Health: Botswana’s sweeping deregistration of thousands of societies may affect community support networks that often help with wellbeing and local health initiatives.

GEF-8 Environment Funding: Botswana-linked projects are among those backed as the Global Environment Facility approves a final $144.3m disbursement, including support to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Botswana and improve water management across Central Asia. Societies Deregistered: Botswana’s government has struck over 5,700 organisations off the register in a sweeping Registrar of Societies exercise, affecting churches, clubs, burial societies, farmers’ groups, and other civic bodies. Ebola Screening at Borders: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has introduced precautionary Ebola measures for incoming travellers, including temperature checks, symptom screening, travel-history declarations, and isolation/transfer to designated facilities if symptoms or high-risk contact are reported. FMD Regional Push: Livestock producers are calling for stronger Southern African cooperation to fight Foot and Mouth Disease, stressing that outbreaks cross borders and require shared biosecurity and veterinary action. Medicine Shortages’ Human Cost: A Botswana case study highlights how gaps in essential medicine supply and affordability can drive patients into crisis, with families struggling to keep up with treatment costs. Older People Care Gap: With Botswana’s ageing population rising, reporting points to growing pressure on social protection and elder care services amid tighter public finances. Mental Health Workshop: Regional mental health leaders, including Botswana, are set to meet in Johannesburg to share country experiences and develop rapid mental health landscape analyses. Nurses Shortage Alarm: The Botswana Nurses Union warns that unemployed nurses and midwives, plus staffing shortages in hospitals and clinics, are putting both patients and healthcare workers at risk.

Society Crackdown: Botswana has deregistered 5,796 societies in a sweeping Registrar of Societies exercise, affecting churches, burial societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, farmers’ associations, and other civic organisations—raising concerns about how community support structures may be disrupted. Ebola Screening at Borders: The Ministry of Health says all incoming travellers will face temperature checks and symptom screening for Ebola, with travellers asked to declare recent travel to Ebola-affected areas and anyone showing symptoms to be isolated and sent to designated facilities. Medicine Shortages Hit Households: A new report highlights how essential drug shortages and inconsistent access are forcing patients and caregivers to buy medicines themselves or go without—pushing families toward crisis and worsening health outcomes. Elder Care Funding Pressure: With Botswana’s older population rising fast, coverage of pension growth comes with a warning that care services lag behind, leaving families to fill major gaps. FMD and Regional Biosecurity: Livestock leaders stress that Foot and Mouth Disease can’t be beaten alone, calling for stronger Southern African cooperation and coordinated action plans to protect herds and livelihoods. Nurses Union Warns on Staffing: The Botswana Nurses Union flags growing unemployment among nurses and midwives, saying shortages in hospitals and clinics are putting both patients and healthcare workers at risk.

Medicine Shortages & Mental Health: A Botswana woman in Molepolole says she went months without buying hyperthyroidism medicine because of sporadic access and rising costs, describing the experience as feeling like she “lost my life” and even suicidal—while another caregiver spends a third of her father’s pension on medicines and supplies, highlighting how drug shortages are hitting households hard. Ageing & Care Gaps: With Botswana’s older population rising fast, a new look at social protection funding warns that pensions are growing but long-term elder care services are not keeping up. Ebola Screening at Borders: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has stepped up Ebola precautions for incoming travellers, including symptom screening, travel-history checks for recent visits to Ebola-affected areas, isolation for suspected cases, and health declaration forms. Nurses Shortage Alarm: The Botswana Nurses Union flags a growing number of unemployed nurses and midwives, warning that staffing gaps in hospitals and clinics are putting both patients and healthcare workers at risk. Mental Health Regional Push: Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is set to speak at a WHO-led inter-country mental health workshop, with participating countries expected to map their mental health needs and best practices. HIV/Hepatitis Lab Support: ABL Diagnostics reports new public tenders in Botswana and other countries for HIV genotyping and hepatitis workflows, aiming to strengthen hospital laboratory capacity. Livestock Health & FMD Risk: Coverage on foot-and-mouth disease highlights ongoing vaccination and outbreak pressure across the region, underscoring how animal disease control affects livelihoods and food security.

Ebola Screening in Botswana: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has stepped up Ebola virus screening at entry points, with incoming travellers facing temperature checks and symptom screening (fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding), plus travel-history declarations for recent trips to Ebola-affected areas like the DRC and Uganda; symptomatic or high-risk contacts will be isolated and sent to designated facilities, while the public is urged to avoid non-essential travel and practise strict hygiene. Mental Health Focus: Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is set to deliver a keynote at a WHO-led East and Southern Africa mental health workshop in Johannesburg, where countries including Botswana will share progress and develop rapid mental health landscape analyses. HIV Lab Testing Growth (Botswana included): ABL Diagnostics says it has secured new public tenders and contracts for HIV and hepatitis genotyping workflows, including agreements spanning multiple countries with Botswana listed among the destinations. Nurses Shortage Warning (BONU): The Botswana Nurses Union raises alarm over rising numbers of unemployed nurses and midwives, warning that staffing gaps in hospitals and clinics are putting both patients and healthcare workers at risk. FMD Disruptions in the Beef-to-Dairy Chain: Foot-and-mouth disease concerns are disrupting livestock operations, including a reported halt to Botswana’s Milk Valley expansion rollout and delays to planned heifer imports, as movement controls tighten to contain outbreaks.

Ebola Screening in Botswana: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has introduced precautionary measures for incoming travellers, including temperature checks and symptom screening (fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding), plus health declaration forms and isolation/transfer to designated facilities if Ebola-consistent symptoms or high-risk contact are reported. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Disruptions: Botswana’s livestock sector is taking another hit as FMD outbreaks trigger movement controls—reports say Zone 11’s outbreak has temporarily halted Phase I of the Milk Valley Expansion Project in Lobatse and delayed the import of 1,000 heifers from Brazil. HIV Lab Services in Botswana: ABL Diagnostics says it has secured public tenders and contracts across multiple countries including Botswana for sequencing-based workflows supporting HIV and hepatitis management in hospital and reference lab settings. Mental Health in the Region: Botswana is among countries attending a WHO-led East and Southern Africa mental health learning workshop, with participating states expected to produce rapid mental health landscape analyses. Workforce Pressure on Care: The Botswana Nurses Union warns of rising unemployment among nurses and midwives, saying staffing shortages in hospitals and clinics are putting both patients and healthcare workers at risk. Sports Integrity Watch: Botswana’s doping concerns continue to surface, with reports of multiple national athletes facing suspensions and challenges to positive results.

Ebola Screening in Botswana: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has intensified Ebola virus screening for incoming travellers, with temperature checks and symptom screening (fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding), health declaration forms on arrival, and immediate isolation and referral for anyone showing symptoms or recent high-risk contact; the public is also urged to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola-affected areas in the DRC and Uganda and to practise strict hygiene. FMD Disruptions and Livestock Health: Foot-and-mouth disease continues to disrupt regional livestock operations, including Botswana’s dairy expansion plans, with movement controls and temporary suspensions affecting cattle imports and project rollouts. Mental Health Focus: South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is set to deliver a keynote at a WHO-led East and Southern Africa mental health workshop, bringing together Botswana and other countries to share best practice and develop rapid mental health landscape analyses. HIV Lab Services in Botswana: ABL Diagnostics reports new public tenders and contracts across multiple countries including Botswana for sequencing-based workflows supporting HIV and hepatitis management in hospital and reference lab settings. Workforce Pressure: The Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) warns that more unemployed nurses and midwives are worsening shortages in hospitals and clinics, putting both patients and healthcare workers at risk.

Ebola Preparedness: Botswana’s Ministry of Health has stepped up precautionary Ebola virus screening at entry points, with incoming travellers facing temperature checks and symptom screening (fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding), plus health declaration forms and isolation/transfer to designated facilities if symptoms or high-risk contact are reported. FMD Threat to Food Security: Foot-and-mouth disease continues to disrupt Botswana’s livestock and dairy plans, with movement controls and outbreak-linked setbacks including halted expansion work tied to Milk Valley and concerns over impacts on the beef sector’s market access. Mental Health Leadership: Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is set to deliver a keynote at a regional mental health inter-country workshop in Johannesburg, bringing together many Southern and East African countries to share best practice ahead of the global ministerial summit in Kigali. HIV & Hepatitis Lab Capacity: ABL Diagnostics reports new public tenders and contracts across multiple countries, including Botswana, supporting sequencing-based workflows for HIV and hepatitis management in hospital and reference lab settings. Workforce Pressure: The Botswana Nurses Union warns that rising numbers of unemployed nurses and midwives are worsening shortages in hospitals and clinics, putting both patients and healthcare workers at risk.

Livestock Health & Food Security: Botswana’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) situation is still driving major disruptions, with reports that an outbreak in Zone 11 has temporarily halted Phase I of the Milk Valley Expansion Project in Lobatse, including a pause on importing 1,000 heifers from Brazil while movement restrictions continue. Regional Biosecurity: Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen is pushing for faster South Africa–Botswana coordination, calling for a 2026–2028 action plan that strengthens vaccination and border fence maintenance to stop cross-border spread. Vaccination Progress (Neighbouring Impact): In South Africa’s uMgungundlovu District, officials report more than 13,000 cattle vaccinated in a day, showing how intensive campaigns are being rolled out to protect livestock and livelihoods. Public Health Funding Pressure: A report on the US cutting billions in health aid for Africa highlights how HIV services can be abruptly disrupted when programmes lose support, raising concerns for continuity of care. Healthcare Workforce & Access: Botswana’s healthcare capacity-building continues to be spotlighted, including coverage of St George’s University helping train the country’s healthcare workforce. Aging & Care Costs: A new Botswana study warns that austerity and spending cuts could worsen inequality and strain elder care as demand rises.

HIV & Hepatitis Testing Expansion: ABL Diagnostics says it has secured new public tenders and corporate contracts across Europe, Asia, Africa, the US, including Botswana, to roll out sequencing-based workflows for HIV genotyping and hepatitis (HBV/HCV/HDV) in hospital and reference lab networks. FMD Response & Public Safety: Botswana’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease situation continues to disrupt livestock plans, with reports of an outbreak halting Phase I of the Milk Valley Expansion Project and delaying planned heifer imports; meanwhile, South Africa’s uMgungundlovu vaccination drive is causing traffic congestion, a reminder of how animal health work affects communities. Regional HIV Leadership: Former Botswana health minister Dr Richard Kamwi has been appointed president of the Society for AIDS in Africa, tasked with strengthening HIV, TB, hepatitis and emerging disease responses. Ageing & Healthcare Pressure: A new study warns Botswana’s fiscal austerity could worsen inequality and strain elder care as demand rises with longer life expectancy. Healthcare Workforce Partnerships: Botswana continues leaning on international training links, including St George’s University, to help address medical professional shortages.

FMD Shock to Dairy Plans: Botswana’s Milk Valley Expansion hit a snag after a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in Zone 11 forced a temporary halt to importing 1,000 heifers from Brazil, delaying Phase I and raising fresh pressure on local dairy and food security. Legal Pushback on FMD Controls: In South Africa, a court ruling backed private livestock owners and businesses to procure and administer FMD vaccines outside the state system—an important signal for how the region may handle vaccine access and compliance. Poultry Import Pressure: Botswana also moved to cut poultry imports with a revamped financing push aimed at scaling local production and reducing foreign exchange drain. Health Workforce Strain: The Botswana Nurses Union hinted it may escalate to Parliament over unemployment of 797 qualified nurses and midwives, warning shortages are hitting maternal and public healthcare access. Ebola Watch: Botswana’s health ministry warned of Ebola importation risk linked to regional freight and travel corridors, even as no cases are reported locally. HIV Leadership: Former health minister Dr Richard Kamwi was appointed president of the Society for AIDS in Africa, steering work on HIV, TB, hepatitis and emerging infections.