Botswana

Botswana emerges from devastating CoVid-19 third wave

Dr Khumoetsile Mapitse, Principal Officer: Pula Medical Aid Fund

Botswana was not spared when the third wave of COVID-19 ravaged southern Africa and experienced some of the highest rates of infection, resulting in an unprecedented number of hospitalisations and COVID19-related deaths.

During this period healthcare infrastructure was overwhelmed by the demand for services. Both the public and private healthcare sectors were not coping, with hospital beds in short supply and oxygen being the main limiting factor. Various stakeholders came together to mitigate the effects of COVID-19; the government of Botswana funded the capacitation of various public health facilities with extra oxygen reservoirs and medical aid schemes collaborated with other industry players to assist the government with the procurement and distribution of vaccines.

The schemes responded by offering free testing for their members and some went as far as providing unlimited free COVID-19 cover for all their members, regardless of benefit option, ensuring that they received the best care possible without having to worry about paying a single thebe. When health facilities became overwhelmed to the point where patients were sent home, schemes responded by offering home-based care services, virtual consultations, doctor home visits, access to oximeters and oxygen concentrators and supplements as a way of going the extra mile for their members. The free unlimited COVID-19 cover was intended to get members to access healthcare early before they could develop complications.

The situation is currently under control with the prevalence having declined significantly and mortality also at its lowest since the onset of winter 2021. Health facilities have been strengthened and should be in a better position should another wave arise in future. The vaccination rollout started off very slowly, but gained momentum in the third quarter of 2021, with around 14% of the population now fully vaccinated as of October 2021.

Medical schemes have joined in the effort to assist in the vaccination of their members by covering the cost thereof. One of these, Pula Medical Aid Fund, has opened a vaccination centre, the largest in the country, to the general public at no cost to vaccine recipients. Schemes are assisting government’s efforts to have 60% of the eligible population vaccinated by the end of 2021.