THE Botswana government has agreed to provide medication to a Zimbabwean facing deportation after a ruling that could see the country amending its immigration rules in relation to AIDS/HIV sufferers.
Following a recommendation by the High Court, Mtandazo Sibanda, will continue to receive treatment for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) pending judgment on the appeal against his deportation.
“The lawyer for the Botswana Network of Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA), Unopa Ndadi who appeared for Sibanda told the court that they have agreed with the Botswana government (Ministry of Health, Department of Immigration and Attorney General's Chambers) for an out of court settlement,” reports Botswana’s Mmegi newspaper.
“Ndadi revealed that each party will foot the bills for the application as part of the settlement. Sibanda was suing government on medical grounds.”
Sibanda was in a prison clinic but has now been moved to PrincessMarinaHospital to start treatment again.
Botswana’s immigration rules barring non-citizens from accessing medication (especially HIV/AIDS sufferers) could have serious consequences for the country.
“Botswana may be sitting on a major public health hazard because of its decision to exclude immigrants from government free medical services,” according to a local newspaper report.
Immigrants are excluded from the government free public health system even when they are suffering from communicable and infectious diseases like tuberculosis, for which medication, along with housing, food and clean clothes, can mean the difference between life and death.
Figures from Botswana’s Ministry of Health show that TB infections in Botswana are on the rise, especially on the back of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
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