Gaborone: The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved the Botswana Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRR) Project aimed at fortifying the country's health system against future pandemics, climate-related illnesses, and daily health challenges. This initiative will bolster critical medicine supplies, expedite the detection of disease outbreaks, and provide real-time access to life-saving health data. According to World Bank, the project comes at a pivotal time as Botswana grapples with severe droughts, floods, and vulnerabilities that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed. These challenges have disrupted essential health services and threaten to reverse significant advances in human capital. The State of Public Health Emergency, declared in August 2025 due to a nationwide shortage of medicines, highlights the urgent need for this investment. Dr. Stephen Modise, Minister of Health for Botswana, expressed the country's appreciation for the partnership with the World Bank. He emphasized that the project addresses Botswana's urgent national priorities, including the public health emergency and systemic vulnerabilities revealed by the pandemic and climate shocks. Dr. Modise described the project as a strategic commitment to a resilient, data-driven health system that aims to include all citizens. The initiative will provide $43 million in support, comprising a $40 million loan and a $3 million grant, focusing on efficiency, equity, and resilience. It will facilitate Botswana's digital transformation by implementing an electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS) to monitor medical supplies in real time, preventing shortages and ensuring continuous access to essential medicines. Additionally, a new climate-resilient National Drug Quality Control Laboratory will be established to maintain the quality and safety of medicines, enhancing public trust and treatment outcomes. Satu Kahkonen, World Bank Country Director for Botswana, stated that the project transcends crisis response by aiming to build an efficient, equitable health system capable of delivering quality care daily and enduring emergencies. This strategic investment is considered crucial for Batswana and a significant step towards long-term resilience and sustainable growth. The project will also improve disease surveillance and response capacity. Investments in the National Public Health Laboratory will allow for quicker and more precise detection of infectious disease threats. Furthermore, national and district Rapid Response Teams will be trained and deployed to swiftly address emerging health risks. The HEPRR Project will actively promote gender equality by supporting the inclusion of more women in leadership roles within emergency response structures. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority, will implement the project over a five-year period.
Menu