MoH on Ebola high alert

Sharon Mathala | Friday August 29, 2014 15:13

 

Motshegwa said while the government was doing all that is within its power to prevent Ebola from crossing into the country, the public should also ensure that prevention efforts are not defeated. “We are talking about communities, and much movement between our borders.  The public must actively be involved in helping to prevent the disease,” she said.

She said Botswana remained on high alert and had mobilised resources to deal with any threat of Ebola.

“We have given priority to monitoring of Ebola and have pulled our resources – both financial and human – to ensure our readiness.  We have dedicated vehicles and personnel to that effect,” she said.

Motshegwa said MoH has set aside isolation facilities at Princess Marina and Block 8 clinic in Gaborone, and has instructed the country’s 27 District Health Management Teams (DHMT) to prepare such amenities in their areas.

“In Gaborone our isolation unit at Princess Marina Hospital is for further assessment following referral by clinics, while the one at Block 8 is for management of the disease,” she said. 

Each of the 27 DHMTs is expected to take the cue from Gaborone. Motshegwa added that the capital being channelled towards the Ebola fight would stress already stretched resources.  She urged Batswana to understand the problem the country is faced with. She said MoE health officers remained at all borders to screen people for Ebola.

Meanwhile, over 80 trucks from DRC were stranded at the Kazungula Border on the Zambian side as Botswana immigration officials refused the travellers entry. Botswana banned all travel to the DRC on April 25 following reports of an outbreak of Ebola in that country.

A truck driver working for Global Marketers of South Africa, Anthony Abel, said drivers coming from DRC were not allowed to pass through Botswana regardless of their nationality. Abel, who spoke on behalf of several other stranded drivers, told journalists at Kazungula border on Tuesday afternoon that more than 80 trucks were stuck because of Ebola fears on the Botswana side. “All truck drivers coming from Zambia are allowed to pass through Botswana, but those of us coming from DRC are not allowed to cross.  We don’t know how long this will take. I loaded copper from Congo on my way to South Africa. The problem is not on the Zambian side but on the Botswana side,” he said.

Abel, whose company has five trucks stranded at the border, said that most drivers are South African. MoH said Batswana and residents arriving from the DRC would be screened and quarantined should there be need.