Botswana Declares Health Crisis as Low Diamond Demand Cuts Funds

Botswana President Duma Boko has declared a public health emergency and set up a 5 billion pula ($348 million) response plan as a prolonged downturn in diamond sales has caused funds for medical supplies to dry up.

The military is overseeing an emergency distribution drive after the national medical supply chain failed, Boko said in a televised address Monday.

Botswana Development Corp., the state-owned investment company, will inject an initial 100 million pula as the president called for further assistance from pension and insurance funds as well as other financiers.

The southern African country’s health ministry earlier this month warned ...