Kgosi Leipigo of Hukuntsi grateful for ACHAP‘s contribution towards bringing services closer to his people through the Community System Strengthening (CSS) program under the Global Fund. The ecstatic Chief expressed this recently during a community led -Health fair that was hosted by the community of Hukuntsi partnering with ACHAP. Leipigo noted that “the CSS program has indeed brought a lot of change and positivity amongst his community.”

When welcoming guests, Leipigo described how before the introduction of the program they faced a lot of health related challenges. He mentioned that alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and HIV infections were the order of the day in his village. “After our children intoxicate themselves with these alcohol and drugs they engage in unprotected sexual activities leading to the spread of infections and unwanted pregnancies. This unruly behaviour is influenced by drug use and the rate of HIV infections keeps on increasing. Kgosi elaborated.

“I am very thankful to ACHAP for introducing the CSS program in our village, because now I can see a lot of difference in my community. My request is for the ACHAP team to stay within us to educate and inform us on how to prevent infections and sicknesses. We want to be fully equipped to resolve all these issues that are affecting us in our community to preserve our future generation. I understand that through behaviour change and reformation of character from our ill behaviours which lead to the spread of infections, our life span will be prolonged as we will be preserved from ailments” He emphasized. Leipigo appealed to his people to receive and support the program as it will contribute positively to their health and improve their life span. He appealed to them to take heed of the information that the volunteers share with them when they do door-to-door visits around the community.

According to Kgosi Leipigo behavior change in his community can been influenced by the most of the youthful volunteers as they can easily relate with their peers.

Nkoyaphiri hub Program Officer, Mr. Eric Magashula says, “Though we have been experiencing challenges reaching senior school boys to circumcise for a while in Greater Gaborone region, June this year was different, 20 boys came forth to do the procedure. This change in events motivated and encouraged Nkoyaphiri hub to reach out to these young men to appreciate as to what prompted them to circumcise and how we can engage them to be advocates of VMMC to their peers in their schools”.

To this effect the hub currently interacted with students from Gaborone Senior Secondary and St Joseph’s College whom circumcised during the end of June school campaign. The workshop was held at Lions Park. The purpose of the team building workshop was to orientate these boys on the VMMC project since they were eager to form VMMC clubs in their respective schools. The clubs are instrumental in mobilizing other boys to circumcise in sound numbers.

The objective of the team building exercise was to share basic VMMC facts with the young men to ensure that they confidently discuss VMMC with their fellow students on and out of school. The boys were oriented on what VMMC is, its benefits, risks and after-operation care. The exercise was also meant to enhance the working relationship between mobilizers, clubs and VMMC staff.

“The team building initiative was a success with all the boys who were invited attending the workshop. They appreciated the workshop and we are positive that this November we will have more clients from this age group (15-19 years)” expressed happy Magashula. The participants took part in various games meant to mould their team spirit and also visited lions in the park.

Mafoko (real name Tshepo Ditsebe) is a recording artist with the Bang Gae stable “I am a song writer, producer and also a vocalist, popularly known as ‘Mafoko’ in the music industry” He shared. He “spits” a few Motswako rhymes and from his latest single called ‘Maphakela’. The Mango tree project according to Tshepo was released on the 3rd of December 2017 with 7 songs.

Tshepo recalls, “Though I heard about VMMC in 2011 it took me 7 solid years to finally circumcise. It took this long because I had my doubts about the procedure. The misconceptions flying around about circumcision also made it impossible for me to consider it at all”, recalled Ditsebe. “A decision to circumcise is not as easy as many assume, shares a 24 year old,” added Ditsebe.

Misconceptions usually distort the true message being communicated. It tends to cloud our judgments thereby shifting people‘s focus from the core message to assuming the worst possible scenarios which do not exist at all. It is these misconceptions that are contributing to the low uptake of VMMC services in the country.

“I heard the circumcision message through a road show campaign themed ‘Take a Lead, get circumcise’ when they came to our area in Mogoditshane. Despite hearing the message I never took heed to it because I wasn’t seeing the long term benefits of circumcision to my life. Other people’s perceptions also made it difficult for me to consider circumcising. I really needed a lot of convincing.”

Ditsebe further narrates that he finally took the decision to circumcise after witnessing all his four friends had circumcised. He saw the whole process from the point they circumcised till the healing. “I finally decided to circumcise after realizing from my friends’ experience that it is actually not as bad as I thought. As I kept checking on them and realizing that they were coping, all my doubts were wiped away and I was convinced that if they did it I can cope too” Ditsebe narrated.

The day I went to the facility at Nkoyaphiri clinic, though fear kept creeping in me, my courage was boosted by a 13 year old boy who was at the facility to circumcise too. He was confident, and his eagerness really encouraged me to go ahead with doing the procedure and not pay attention to my fears.

Ditsebe confirmed boldly that he is proudly circumcised and happy with the service he received. “There has been a huge difference in my health and life ever since I circumcised. My healing is complete and my last checkup was on the 19th of February 2018. I am happy that I am circumcised”.

His advice to all uncircumcised men is that they should be courageous and not hesitant to go ahead and circumcise. “From my experience is not as painful as people are painting it. Yes there is a bit of pain but painkillers are provided to sedate the pain after that, it is well” He confirmed.

Kealeboga Bushman, 22, a student of Logistics & Supply Chain Management at University of Botswana, lives in the outskirt of the capital city in a village called Lesirane. During his leisure time Kealeboga enjoys listening to music, partying and playing football.

Kealeboga enjoys the company of his uncircumcised friends who never discuss circumcision because they do not realise its relevance in their lives. “My friends and I are reluctant to circumcise because of the misconceptions surrounding male circumcision we hear from people. I first heard messages on circumcision when I was doing form 1 through SMC demand creation personnel who came to our school but never took heed to the messages, as I felt it did not concern me. The message grew louder when I was at senior school as Vee (former SMC ambassador) addressed our school but I was stillunconvinced. The misconceptions catalyzed fear and I kept wondering, what if the procedure is not done well or something goes wrong. You have to understand that this procedure is done on the most sensitive and precious part of my body, this is my life, my family, should anything go wrong, heish!” He expressed shaking his head.

“Despite all circumcision benefits shared, the message never hit home because I was not sexually active hence I saw no need to do the procedure. Yes, hygiene wise I understood but other benefits did not add much value to me. My mother also tried her best to reach out to me and encourage me to circumcise but I rmained unmoved due to the lingering misconceptions I heard.

Deep in thought one of the days, wondering what future awaits me after acquiring my degree this May, My dream to enroll as an Officer Cadet in the army remained alive. This has always been my wish, the dream was nearing realization because I was about to complete my studies. This dream became the game changer which led me to circumcise. I had heard that they highly encourage and recommend men to be circumcised in the army. On the 8th of January 2018 I bit the bullet and made my way to the hospital to circumcise.

Waking up that fateful morning I did not inform anyone at home that I was going to circumcise I just left without saying a word. My first stop was Lesirane clinic since I was not aware of any sites where circumcision is offered. When I told them of my desire they referred me to Nkoyaphiri clinic where the procedure was performed. Though the sight of the equipmt used such as scissors and needles gave me some fright but I went ahead with it. Due to the anesthetic injection administered before the doctor began the procedure, I did not feel any pain until the procedure was completed. I must admit that the first 3 days after circumcising it was a bit painful but painkillers were there to help suppress the pain and from there the pain was bearable as I followed the wound care advice appropriately.

During the healing process I was just curious to see how the whole thing will look like and all I can say is that I’m happy and satisfied with the service I got. I am indeed proudly circumcised and I am on my last week of the six weeks recommended for complete healing. My advice to my peers is that they should consider circumcising because it’s nothing to fear. Yes the first three days maybe a bit painful but after that all will be fine, trust me six weeks is nothing. The myths and misconceptions are not facts because the procedure is just fine

My name is Mr. Modisanyane Didibeng, from Serowe, I am 85 years old and a tuberculosis (TB) survivor.

A few years ago I was working in the mines in South Africa before I moved back home where I found a job at Botswana Railways. Soon after moving back I realized that I wasn’t feeling well. I had excruciating chest pains when coughing and I had no appetite. My skin was also peeling so I went to the hospital to seek for medical attention. Upon arrival the doctors did various tests but could not diagnose what was the problem. I was given medicines and I was sent home, but after sometime I returned to a different hospital to do another test but still it proved futile as they could not see anything from my results. Once again I went home without being diagnosed but the situation was worsening every day. I got to a point where I lost hope because medicine could not help me at all.

My third attempt to Serowe Nutrition Clinic last year June 2017, finally bared fruits because when I was screened they discovered that I had TB. The results of my sputum test which was done showed that I was positive for TB. As scary as it is to discover that you have a disease like TB, I was relieved because now the doctors managed to diagnose the problem. A ray of hope came, I was now close to my breakthrough of receiving the necessary treatment I needed and longed for, so the burden I suffered for a long time was finally close to being uplifted.

After being diagnosed Didibeng was immediately introduced to treatment. The first 14 days which is termed the initial phase of treatment, he had to take a pill on daily basis at the hospital. It is critical for the patient to take a pill at the hospital so that doctors can monitor the patient closely for side effects caused by the drugs. From this phase the patient will then be given a different pill for a period of two months and can take it from the comfort of his house. If there are no side effects the patient is then transitioned to the continuation phase until completing treatment which usually lasts six months. After five months and two weeks in treatment another sputum is taken to check if TB is still there or the patient is cured, if the results is negative it shows that the patient is healed.

Ms. Mogomotsi Kabelo who is a Community Treatment Supporter from BOCAIP-Serowe Nutrition Clinic was always responsible for seeing Didibeng throughout his treatment phase. She shares that, “Immediately after I screened Didibeng and he was introduced to treatment I made sure that I educated him on TB and how he can take care of himself and ensure that he prevents himself from infecting his family members with TB. I then went to his family to do contact tracing to screen them if they have TB since it is airborne and they have been in contact with Didibeng. I screened them and they were all negative” Kabelo shared. Though they were negative, there was a five year old child who was given treatment to prevent her from contracting the disease and to avoid complications as her immune system is still weak therefore can be infected easily. I also gave his family information on TB on how to support their father through his treatment and not isolate him. I shared with them the precautions measures to exercise to ensure that they do not contract TB when doing so.

Didibeng exclaims “It has been two months since I completed my treatment and I am really thrilled to have overcame this anguish that tormented me for a long time. I feel like life have entered my soul once again and I have regained my strength as now I can eat since my appetite has been restored. My family is now happy to see me well and are no longer worried like before. I really appreciate the service I have received through this TB/ Care Support initiative implemented by BOCAIP on behalf of ACHAP and would like to encourage others who are reluctant to seek help so that they beat this TB because as deadly as it is, it is curable” shared ecstatic Didibeng.

Didibeng after he completed his TB treatment and was fully recovered, he decided to become a TB/HIV support group member. “I decided to be part of the team in order to sensitise and educate my community members on TB. I wanted to encourage TB patients to be faithful to their medication and ensure that they complete their treatment” He said.

ACHAP plays a unique role in the fight against HIV, bringing a combination of scientific and technical expertise and on-the-ground experience to bear. Our innovative, data driven approaches are helping to drive progress against the diseases and strengthening communities and ultimately, saving lives.

The community systems strengthening team in Francistown engaged the community in a wellness event to bring health services to them. A growing crowd of men, women, and children gathered at the Francistown satellite south to be part of the wellness event where they did exercising activities, aerobics and many more.

The community system strengthening facilitators moved through the crowd distributing information about health programmes such as Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), cervical cancer, TB/HIV and encouraged the community to get tested for HIV. Condoms were also distributed and demonstrations were done on how to use condoms as a prevention method.

ACHAP community health workers had the opportunity to do a health talk on TB, its transmission and how to prevent it. Other stakeholders that is, BOCAIP, DHMT offered HIV testing and counselling services and TB screening.

The ACHAP Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Khumo Seipone as the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer. Dr Seipone is a medical doctor and Public Health Specialist having acquired a Doctor of Medicine, Masters of Public Health and Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and is well recognized for her leadership in Health especially in HIV/ AIDS response in Botswana. She is the founding Director of Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and leaves the Ministry after 20 years of service as a Deputy Permanent Secretary and the Director of Health Services whose role was to ensure quality of health services through the development and implementation of health care policies, standards and regulation of health services within government and private sector.

She has Executive Leadership and Risk Management training with a proven record of good leadership and management especially in development, execution of strategy, building effective teams, strategic partnerships and implementation of quality Public Health Sector programs. She is a firm believer in individual and community empowerment in delivery of health care supported by strong health systems that provide quality health outcomes.

In her role as a member of the National AIDS Council and Chairperson of the UN Health and HIV Sector Coordinating Component GROUP (CCG) and Deputy Chairperson Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), she opened opportunities to network internationally to lobby for regional support at SADC. She also opened networking opportunities at the U.N, North and South America including China and Brazil in the south to south cooperation support and resource mobilization for the health sector including showcasing Botswana’s achievement in the control of HIV/AIDS and primary health care.

She is the former Chairperson of the Food Control Board and Health Research Development Committee. She was also a board member of Bureau of Standard Council, Health Professions Council and the Botswana Harvard Partnership Board, Chemical Weapons Prohibition Board and former additional member of a high ranking Committee responsible for establishment of the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital. Dr Seipone is also a former chairperson of the Health and HIV Component Coordination Group of the Government, UN Programme.

Prior to the current position, Dr Seipone held several portfolios within the Ministry of Health and Wellness internationally including Deputy Permanent Secretary, Health Services, National PMTCT Program Manager, Public Health specialist in several units such as Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit and AIDS/ STD and Medical Officer, Princess Marina Hospital.

In her role as the CEO of ACHAP she will be responsible for overseeing the expansion of ACHAP’s services offering in broader public health and the organisation’s growing footprint in southern Africa.

Dr Edward Maganu
ACHAP Board Chairperson

My journey of self-discovery and recovery began in 2016. After years of functional alcohol abuse I found myself losing weight as I could not focus on anything else but drinking alcohol every day. I remember looking at myself in the mirror and I looked absolutely terrible and I felt depressed.

I spent several months trying to moderate my drinking; I failed miserably. I completely panicked and felt defeated. I didn’t know I was powerless over booze. In fact, I still have a hard time believing I’m an alcoholic – even though I knew I was drinking heavily. I know that alcohol is addictive and I know that it is bad for my health, it still blows me away the blind eye I turned on my own ridiculous behaviour and it now brings tears to my eyes to realize how far I have come. Thank God!

When I heard about Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) programme coming to my area, I wanted to know more so I made sure to attend the workshops and meetings and this is where I began to look at life differently. I had no idea what I was up against when I decided I wanted to quit.

Knowing more about how alcohol abuse has affected our community opened my eyes even more. I have since learnt so much about addictive behaviour and how it stops one especially the youth from achieving their dreams. I would never have guessed the hold alcohol had on my life. I seriously thought it was just part of having fun and it can never be a serious issue. I started going to CSS meetings and absolutely loved them. They became my therapy. There were discussions on alcohol abuse and how as the youth we can refrain from alcohol and stop visiting drinking spots. CSS encourages the youth to keep themselves busy by being volunteers for NGOs and doing life skills activities. I also joined groups that were formed under the CSS and being in one of the groups kept me busy and I became the voice for alcohol abuse recovery.

I have also turned my life towards God, I have a relationship with God and thru my own beliefs I have been able to find the courage and strength to find sobriety. It takes time to recover from alcohol and it’s not easy, but it is incredibly worth it. Being sober changes you and it changes your life for the better.

I feel complete and happy to share the success I have found through CSS and I encourage every young person who is into drugs, alcohol even just cigarette smoking to think twice before engaging in those substances and focus more into getting sober. Living a sober life makes you think clearly.

Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) brings health information and methods to communities especially those that don’t visit health facilities often. CSS health outreach is an extension of activities that ACHAP offers to the communities. The goal of the programme is to increase access to health services, strengthen communities by providing health education talks thereby decreasing HIV prevalence and teenage pregnancy rate among the Youth of Botswana. These Outreach activities take place in 10 districts of Botswana.

In Ngamiland district the CSS team prioritized household dialogues to reach out to the community as a way to understand their health concerns. During the household dialogues, one of the Community Facilitators Ms. Lesego Motladiile, met the Xwie Family which expressed their concerns and was hoping to get help from the team. The family expressed their devastation due to their father’s current health state. Their 98 year old father Mr. Obie Xwie of could not walk at all therefore was unable to do anything for himself. The family had tried for many years to reach out to the relevant people that includes the Social Worker's office to assist in donating walking crutches to their father without success.

Motladiile took this matter up and contacted the physiotherapy department in Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital in Maun to solicit crutches for Xwie. Though this was also not a easy task the crutches were eventually availed and the ACHAP team delivered them. The ecstatic Xwie said, “I could not be happier and even my back pains will be a thing of the past because I will be able to stand and take a few steps. I am very thankful.” His children also expressed their delight that their father could walk again.

Motladiile noted that, “helping another member of the community is what brings joy to their work. We do our best to provide solutions to health challenges communities by engaging in household dialogues amongst other interventions of the program. As the CSS team we hope to improve a healthy lifestyle among communities.”

Olebogeng Lenyora, the last born of six children, unable to finish school was doing short term menial jobs in her village of Serowe and could never have known that her life would change forever due to HIV. Although she was unemployed, she had wanted a decent life but couldn’t get any. She ended up being frustrated and began drinking alcohol. Lenyora then engaged in sexual activities where she had multiple partners, which put her at risk of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

“I was having headaches and coughing a lot when I met one of the nurses at our clinic, who was working for ACHAP. The nurse spoke to me about TB and HIV,” Lenyora recalls. “She encouraged me to go for HIV testing after I told her about my symptoms. Lenyora did her HIV test and received her results at the clinic where she was offered HIV counselling and testing. “The results were saddening. When I was told that I was HIV Positive, I immediately became numb, I was shattered and felt my life was over. Somehow everyone got to know that I was HIV positive and my name became popular in every home, I felt the stigmatisation everywhere I went, people began to look at me in an unpleasant way. I was called names and no parent wanted their children to associate with me and this shattered my hopes. Lenyora resorted to alcohol and engaged into more sexual intercourse with many partners as a way of revenge.

I later realised that continuing to sleep with many men was worsening my situation and that I would die fast if I didn’t change my behaviour. I have now learned to accept my life and to think positively. I have decided to rather to tell my story to make an impact in a young girl’s life who doesn’t know the dangers of having unprotected sex.

Thanks to ACHAP counsellors that got me through this difficult journey. Lenyora has learned about more than just thinking positive. “I have also learnt a lot about HIV and AIDS and how I can live a longer life being HIV positive. Now I know how to eat healthy, take my medication as advised and continue to have safe sex.” ACHAP has been so transformative in Lenyora’s life that she has voluntarily enrolled in ACHAP programmes like the Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) in her village as an advocate.

Mrs. Elizabeth Moshi, the ACHAP Community Systems Strengthening Coordinator says the project is being implemented in 10 districts – with promising results. “Our focus is engaging communities for uptake of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and TB control. CSS provides the community with knowledge on healthy decision making and supporting them with economic options to reduce their vulnerability. While we only focus on community strengthening, we are able provide or refer treatment services for HIV and refer those HIV positive for treatment at nearby health facilities. We also hold wellness day events where we invite our stakeholders’ such as Tebelopele for testing services” Moshi said. Thanks to CSS communities and young girls are now being empowered through health education, which greatly reduces their risk to sexual infections and HIV,” concluded Moshi.

Section Maligeni never thought he could have TB. When he started coughing in May 2016 “he recalls”, he thought it was just a mild cough or maybe common flu. Without the knowledge of the TB symptoms, he was never on the lookout for it even when he got ill. These factors, and the delay in diagnosis, led to Maligeni’s TB becoming life-threatening.

“When I started coughing I got antibiotics from the doctor for a dry itchy cough. I thought my illness was just a mild one and that the cough would get better. Over the next three months the cough got worse and I began to feel tired, dizzy, sweating and had lost weight so I went back to the clinic where they did a sputum test and I was diagnosed with multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB. I was then hospitalised and put on a 2 year treatment.

As I began to feel better I was sent home and would visit the clinic regularly to get my medication. Maligeni met one of ACHAP’s TB Care project volunteer Ms Dimakatso Dube at Lapologang clinic in Francistown who offered her services. As a volunteer, Dube offers her support services by visiting TB patients at their homes and ensures that they take their medication on time.

While on treatment Maligeni started having hearing challenges which resulted in him losing a sense of hearing, he now hopes to recover the loss of his hearing and he is happy to be completing his treatment this year in August 2018 and feels better than before.

ACHAP recently hosted a delegation from the French Presidential Council for Africa and Global Health Advocates. The 2 day visit from the 17th to the 18th June 2019 of comprised a delegation of Yvonne Mburu from the French Presidential Council for Africa Bruno Rivalan and Lucie Brousset from the Global Health Advocates and a photojournalist.

The the Presidential Council for Africa was created in 2017 by the French President Mr Emmanuel Macron to give a fresh perspective on the relationship between France and African states. It brings together leading civil society figures from the African continent and France. Global Health Advocates is a French Non-Governmental Organisation specialising in global health advocacy. As such, its goal is to advocate for reinforced political and financial support for these issues from European and French decision-makers. The Presidential Council for Africa and Global Health Advocates aim to highlight innovative African initiatives in support of Universal Health Coverage, thanks to the commitment of local and community stakeholders.

The purpose of the visit to Botswana was to highlight innovative, high-impact health projects in Africa, and French investments in global health. The French government is the second largest donor to the Global Fund. Additionally it was to raise the public’s awareness of French policy on global health and reinforce its assimilation by French citizens hence the delegation brought a photojournalist to document the visit. Lastly they wanted the visit to contribute to the modernization of the French Global Health policy by submitting recommendations to President Macron ahead of the G7 Summit scheduled to be held in August 24–26, 2019.

While in Botswana the delegation paid a courtesy call to National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) where they met with the two Global Fund Principal Reciepents (NAHPA and ACHAP) and their sub Receipents (BOCAIP, BONELA and Tebelopele Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center).

Following the NAHPA meeting the delegation visited the Central Medical Stores in Gaborone and the Boswelakoko Occupational Health Service Centre in Molepolole. The clinic focuses on TB and occupational health diseases for current and ex-mine workers/their families as well as peri-mining communities.

In order to appreciate programmes focused on Prevention for Adolescents and Young people the delegation visited a drama group at the Youth Friendly Clinic, Area W in Francistown. To learn about HIV Testing for Female Sex Workers visited the Tebelopele Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center in Francistown.

COVID-19 got the world busy by engaging in various interventions to prevent, detect it and quarantine all those affected and infected. Various local and multinational organisations have deployed their staff and resources to contribute in the response for preventing its spread.

In its endeavour to contribute to the response, ACHAP has developed the Botswana Covid-19 Real Time Tracing and Tracking System (RTTS) which is an enhanced screening and contact tracing system that integrates Covid-19 test and trace data. It provides a system for timely detection and monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks and other health events. The RTTS is founded on Qode Inter-operability framework which is a data management structure possessing built in integration engines and algorithms that can integrate data from various systems and other data sources into a single repository; the Data Warehouse. Using a three-step process of data encryption, de-identification and consolidation for enhanced validity, accuracy and integrity, this process ensures that the Data Warehouse is a Single Source of Truth.

The Knowledge Centre is then able to access validated data using business intelligence tools to develop customizable and dynamic reports and dash boards. Knowledge Centre also produces key metrics that automatically update, eliminating the need for manual report development. Reports provided are live reports (dynamic reports) and static reports (saved reports)

The RTTS ensures reliable performance monitoring and reporting and makes it easier to track process indicators on an hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis as they unfold at the districts or at ports of entry. Automated reports are accessible to all relevant stake holders real time so that they can better understand the improve the national response effectiveness.

The Real Time Tracing and Tracking system is capable of collecting and monitoring data from various posts real time in a war room and teams are given advice real time as situations unfold. It is connected to tablets which are used to collect data in the field. The tablets are synchronised to the war room where data is analysed and reports given real time. It is able to show the exact geo location of field workers while on field and identify cases by location.

There is communication between operatives in the Situation Room and the field officers for updates on their performance and instant trouble-shooting in the event that they have challenges with their data collection gadgets(tablets). Daily reports are given to the Ministry of health while lists of those swabbed are sent to the laboratory where testing and verification is done.

With effect fom the 8th May 2020 to date, the system has been used in border posts at Pioneer, Mamuno , Kazungula, Ferry gate , Ramakgwebana, Martins Drift and Tlokweng boarder gates.

According to the ACHAP, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Mr Mooketsi Ramakele, “the system has various advantages, in that it has drastically reduced the amount of paper work in the way they function.

It has also facilitated real time access to data by all stakeholders, which includes the Covid - 19 Task Force and the Ministry of Health and Wellness for informed and timely decision making.

Suspects can be easily identified real time using geographical location. It has been handy for monitoring of international arrivals. If need be, one can zoom into the geo position and have a team investigate the suspect in 15 minutes time.

So far over 6800 clients have been tracked in the country through contact tracing and active case finding in communities and ports of entry since 23rd April 2020 using the system.

The system can be used for various other programs which need to be monitored real time. This is yet another effort by ACHAP to meet the paperless demands of the fourth industrial revolution through innovative technologies.

The Chief Executive officer for ACHAP Dr Khumo Seipone said that they were proud to have contributed this technology and service, for the benefit of the nation in this challenging time where real time monitoring of the pandemic is pertinent for relevant, informed planning and strategizing.

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 a pandemic on 11th March 2020. Different countries then adopted different strategies in their endeavour to contain the virus. Any intervention’s success is dependent on the level of available information about the disease modalities of spread, prevalence of the disease, rate of infection and subsequent mortality levels among those infected.

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi a state of public emergency for the purpose of taking appropriate and stringent measures to address the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The president also stated that whilst the state of public emergency is in place, there shall also be "extreme social distancing commencing on April 2, 2020 at midnight for a period of 28 days" because it is in the best interest of the nation.

ACHAP with BUMMHI, BOCAIP, University of Botswana supported District Health Management Teams (DHMT) conduct Contact Tracing in the villages of Molepolole, Metsimotlhabe, Ramotswa, Mahalapye, Bobonong and Siviya where there were confirmed cases. Teams from above-mentioned organisations were to provide a comprehensive contact tracing response targeted at closely monitoring and supporting isolation of potential imported and locally transmitted cases through community education for the general public and intensified education for high risk groups and districts.

Contact tracing which is an integral component of the overall strategy for controlling an outbreak of COVID 19 virus is defined as the identification and follow-up of persons who may have come into contact with an individual confirmed to be having COVID 19 (a case). Contacts must be systematically identified and monitored closely for 14 days following possible exposure to ascertain infection. The objectives of the contact tracing, was to rapidly identify and close down chains of transmission of COVID-19, linkage contact to care and management, slow the progress of the COVID-19 epidemic in Botswana to avoid overburdening the health system and finally assess COVID-19 incidence in hotspot areas.

The exercise in the Greater Gaborone DHMT area started with fumigation and disinfection of the following areas in Metsimotlhabe; Regent Hill School, Choppies, Saverite, Top Centre Butchery, Field Butchery, Clinic, Shell and Puma filling stations. The Engen filling in Mmopane was included in the exercise where as in Mogoditshane only Fours and Chicken Licken were disinfected. A total of were screened whereas 760 Secondary contacts were identified and swabbed(tested) with no positive results. The exercise successful contact tracing mainly due to community leadership engagement, timely risk communication and community involvement by the Health Promotion department, visible leadership from DHMT and good collaboration between national contact tracing, district contact tracing and partners.

Contact tracing was immediately followed by Active case-finding that requires systematic screening and clinical evaluation of persons who are at high risk of developing COVID 19, such as people who are contacts of someone who is COVID 19 case (suspected, probable or confirmed). The use of active case-finding assumes that: groups at high risk for COVID 19 are clearly defined procedures to screen and assess individuals belonging to these groups are well established, and Health professionals and community workers who should be involved in implementing these procedures have been clearly identified and capacitated.

In Greater Gaborone area screening of people with flu like symptoms and essential service workers; truck drivers, Health workers (Metsimotlhabe Clinic) & Point of Entry staff (BURS, Immigration and Police) was conducted. A total of 334 people were screened, tested(swabbed) with no positives.

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is an add-on strategy to other existing strategies for HIV prevention, in 2009 the Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Health and Wellness adopted the voluntary safe male circumcision programme.

As a strategy to reach more uncircumcised males, ACHAP is collaborating with The Botswana University of Maryland School of Medicine Health Initiative (BUMMHI) to strengthen referrals and linkages of clients seen by the two government partners.

ACHAP has already started to orientate the Kweneng BUMMHI team on VMMC with focus on referral guidelines. The orientation will continue to other districts.

The University of Manitoba in collaboration with PHDA in Kenya, NAHPA and ACHAP is undertaking an outcome assessment study to learn more about the problems affecting girls and young women, including possible infections, such as HIV.

The activity “implementation of outcome specific measurement in Global Fund supported AGYW” will be conducted in Tutume, Maun, Francistown, Palapye and Phikwe (GF AGYW supported districts). This activity will measure sexual behavioural and structural outcomes.

ACHAP will provide facilitation of the field implementation of outcome measurement assessment study. The key activity will include implementing the polling booth surveys; a rapid, simple and cost-effective innovative approach to gather data on sexual behavioural and structural outcomes

ACHAP held a 2 days training at Woodlane hotel for 10 researches who will be working at the polling booth to train them on how to gather and safe guard information collected from the clients. The activity will be conducted between the 19th April and 13th May 2021.

ACHAP CEO Dr Khumo Seipone and the ACHAP team would like congratulate Professor Mabel K.M Magowe on her promotion to Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Deputy Dean in Faculty of Health Sciences.

Professor Magowe serves as the ACHAP Board Chairperson and is a renowned researcher who has immensely contributed to the HIV and AIDS research in Botswana, she holds a PHD in Nursing from Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, USA, Masters in Midwifery from University of Illinois in Chicago, a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Botswana and Diploma in Midwifery and Nursing from National Health Institute, Gaborone.

CONGRATULATIONS PROF!!!