- – Over 2,000 cases of new STIs reported
Amid the persistent shortages of essential medical supplies, the North West District is experiencing rising cases of infectious diseases, according to the District Development Committee report.
The report highlights significant challenges facing the district’s health sector, with low medicine availability, increasing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a surge in malaria cases, and a rabies outbreak all contributing to growing concerns over public health.
Healthcare facilities across the district are experiencing severe shortages of medicines, with the availability of vital drugs standing at 59.6 percent, while essential medicines are available at only 44 percent.
The report attributes the shortages primarily to stock-outs at the Central Medical Stores (CMS), which supplies public health facilities nationwide. The report also notes that limited funding for micro-procurement has restricted the district’s ability to purchase medicines from private suppliers to fill the gaps.
The shortages come as the district records a sharp increase in sexually transmitted infections. A total of 2,869 new STI cases were reported during the fourth quarter.
Health officials say efforts to curb the spread of infections have been hampered by inadequate funding for prevention programmes, shortages of treatment supplies, and the unavailability of both male and female condoms.
The district also failed to meet its quarterly HIV testing targets. According to the report, men continue to access HIV testing services at significantly lower rates than women, creating challenges for early diagnosis and treatment.
At the same time, environmental conditions have contributed to outbreaks of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases across the district.
Malaria cases increased dramatically during the reporting period, rising from four cases in the previous quarter to 109 cases in the fourth quarter.
The district is also battling a rabies outbreak, with more than 100 reported cases of rabies exposure resulting in three confirmed human deaths.
The outbreak has prompted a coordinated response involving veterinary and wildlife authorities, particularly in Maun and surrounding villages. Officials attribute the increase in rabies cases to a growing population of unvaccinated stray dogs and increased interaction between people and wildlife in areas surrounding the Okavango Delta.
The report notes that private sector partners have also assisted in the response, with the philanthropic arm of Chobe Holdings donating hundreds of rabies vaccines to help replenish dwindling stocks at local health facilities.
The report warns that continued medicine shortages and increasing disease outbreaks could further strain the healthcare system if additional support is not provided.
Ultimately, the report calls on the Ministry of Health to urgently replenish medical supplies and strengthen support for district health services to improve the region’s capacity to respond to emerging public health challenges.
