Botswana estimates up to 9,000 backlog surgeries due to COVID-19

GABORONE, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Accumulated backlogged specialized surgeries in Botswana are estimated to be as high as 9,000 cases due to the COVID-19 epidemic, a senior health official said Tuesday.

Botswana's Assistant Minister of Health Sethomo Lelatisitswe said the round figure takes into account elective operations such as cancer, arteriovenous (AV) fistula, and gallbladder surgery and semi-emergency surgeries postponed following the coronavirus waves.