Botswana’s president has declared a public health emergency due to shortages of essential medicines and equipment, as a downturn in the global diamond market and US aid cuts take a toll on the country’s finances.

The announcement came after the Ministry of Health suspended non-urgent surgeries on 4 August, stating that the country was short of medicines to treat hypertension, diabetes, cancer, asthma and eye conditions, as well as supplies including bandages and sutures and those for sexual and reproductive health.

The president, Duma Boko, said in a televised address on Monday night that the country’s medical supply chain had failed, as he announced 250m pula (£13.8m) in funding for emergency medicines, the distribution of which would be overseen by the military.

It’s a scenario the country hoped to avoid. Back in early August, the health ministry warned of depleting stock and postponed all non-urgent surgeries.

Since then, the finance ministry has approved 250 million pula around $17.35 million dollars in emergency funds for medical supplies.

Botswana’s budget has been under pressure this year, largely due to a prolonged slump in the global diamond market. The country is the world’s top producer of diamonds by value.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump cut health funding to Botswana though it’s unclear if that’s linked to the current crisis