Multi-drug resistance Tuberculosis is jeopardising Botswana's progress in combating the desease

According to an official, the percentage of multi-drug resistant TB (tuberculosis)  in Botswana is increasing, jeopardising the country's progress against the disease over time.

According to Botswana's Minister of Health, Edwin Dikoloti, tuberculosis is still a priority public health issue and the most common opportunistic infection among people living with HIV, the virus that causes endemic AIDS.

"The multi-drug resistant TB, that we have seen emerge in the years, has posed a threat to the progress we have had over the years," Dikoloti said during a handover ceremony of an undisclosed amount of TB drug donation from India in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city.

Dikoloti stated that the donation of Linezolid and Cycloserine, both of which are essential for the multi-drug resistant tuberculosis treatment, will help to reduce government treatment spending while also ensuring drug availability "for our persons who are in need."

According to Dikoloti, tuberculosis-related mortality and morbidity are extremely high in Botswana, particularly drug-resistant tuberculosis.