Strengthening Public Health: Cyprus Donates Lifesaving Medicines to Botswana

Minister of Health of Botswana commends Elpida Foundation, Medochemie, the government, and people of Cyprus for lifesaving donation of essential medicines

The Ministry of Health wishes to acknowledge the generous donation of essential medicines from Dr Loizos Loizou from ELPIDA Foundation and Medochemie for their rapid activation in order to provide meaningful support to Botswana at a time of need. The medicines were received during an official handover ceremony held in Gaborone on 10th July 2025.

The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Stephen Modise, conveyed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Botswana, describing the donation as a timely and deeply meaningful intervention in support of the national health system.

“This is more than a shipment of medical supplies. It is an act of solidarity, partnership, and shared humanity that will bring hope to communities, especially those hardest hit by medicine shortages. We are grateful to the Elpida Foundation, Medochemie, Government, and people of Cyprus for this significant contribution to the health and well-being of our nation,” said the Minister.

The donation, which includes treatments for chronic diseases, antibiotics, chemotherapy medication and pediatric supplies, will directly benefit public hospitals and clinics across the country. Priority will be given to facilities in underserved and rural areas where the burden of medical shortages has been most acute.

“This consignment of two tons of essential medicines will ease the burden on our healthcare workers and provide essential relief to patients who have gone without critical medications for too long,” added Minister Dr Modise.

This donation marks the second shipment of medical aid from Cyprus to Botswana in 2025. The first shipment, in May 2025, included anticancer medications, chemotherapy drugs, and innovative targeted therapies.

The Minister emphasized that this donation is part of a growing, strategic partnership between civil society, industry and Governments of Botswana and Cyprus. It is grounded in a shared vision of equitable access to healthcare and strengthening of the health system in the long-term.

“We look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Cypriot Government. Together, we can address not just today’s shortages, but build a stronger, more sustainable health system for tomorrow.”

The collaboration between Botswana and Cyprus is foreseen to go beyond donated essential medicines to include telemedicine and palliative care programs, with the aim of bringing hope and healing to Batswana in need.

The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to ensuring transparency in the distribution of the donated medicines and to working closely with development partners on reforms in public health supply chain management, local production capacity, and frontline service delivery.

“Let this donation serve as a catalyst for ongoing health system transformation. The people of Botswana deserve a resilient, responsive, and inclusive healthcare system – and with partners like the Government of Cyprus and the Elpida Foundation, that vision is well within reach,”concluded Minister Dr Modise.

You can read about the first shipment in OncoDaily.