President Boko devoted a large portion of his SONA to the country’s fragile health system, admitting that Botswana entered a full-scale medical supply crisis before his administration intervened.
On 25 August 2025, the government declared a State of Public Health Emergency, during which Botswana faced “a catastrophic collapse of the medical supply chain… critical medicines and medical commodities were almost non-existent.”
Two months later, availability has improved to:
Government has so far procured over 300 tonnes of medical supplies, with additional shipments expected.
- 36% for critical medicines
- 63% for vital, essential, and necessary (V.E.N.) medicines
Government has so far procured over 300 tonnes of medical supplies, with additional shipments expected. Boko expressed gratitude to international partners including the UAE, United States, China, Zimbabwe, and Turkey for their donations.
Looking ahead, he announced the introduction of a National Health Insurance scheme, promising it will be co-created with citizens through nationwide consultations.
“One of our main goals is to raise the UHC Index from 55 to 75 in the next 5 years,” Boko said, underscoring plans for full digitisation of the health system, restructuring of Central Medical Stores, and a new “Health First Botswana Partnership” to support sustained procurement reforms.
Government also revealed a USD 50 million (P700 million) grant to strengthen primary healthcare, early detection, and prevention.
