The tentative budget, which was revealed to Mmegi this week by highly placed sources, comes at a time when the country’s budget is under pressure from lower diamond sales. The state of the economy is threatening to worsen the projected P8.7 billion deficit for the 2024-25 financial year. Addressing the media this week, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti said these declarations also mean that there should be vigilance and a high level of caution when people travel to affected countries. "Better still, unnecessary travel is discouraged, until the situation stabilises," he emphasized, adding that the government of Botswana is prepared to test screen and test for Mpox as needed.
He highlighted that the laboratory network has been strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic to conduct genomic sequencing to add to the global knowledge of the disease. The Minister also revealed that they have put measures in place to strengthen surveillance of the Mpox virus. Dikoloti revealed the screening will be done at Maun and Gaborone airports as well as Kazungula, Tlokweng, Martin’s Drift, Pioneer Gate and Mamuno ports of entry. According to the Minister, the ongoing outbreak across Africa has prompted significant international concern leading to the declarations by the WHO and Africa CDC. “These declarations signify an extraordinary event that poses a substantial risk to continental and global public health," he said.
