Quick Links
Select a link to jump to that section
- Prevention of HIV Infection
- HIV Counseling & testing
- Continued support of ARV treatment
- Advocacy, community mobilization & empowerment PLWA
Central Programmes
Prevention of HIV Infection
Teacher Capacity Building Program (TCB)
The Teacher Capacity Building Program (TCB) is a partnership between ACHAP, The Ministry of Education, Botswana Television (BTV) and the UNDP. The TCB project is an interactive teacher education program which targets Botswana’s teachers with information about HIV/AIDS in an effort to build their capacity to effectively address HIV/AIDS issues in the classroom. The direct beneficiaries of TCB are 21,782 teachers in schools including tertiary institutions of education. Indirectly, TCB potentially reaches 469,938 students in 974 educational institutions. Each of these institutions has been equipped with a television set, videocassette recorder, satellite dish and decoder. Started in 2003, a weekly live television education program (Talk Back) has been implementation through BTV. In their respective schools, teachers view the recorded live programmes and discuss the programme content with a view to share experiences that enhance individuals’ teaching on HIV/AIDS. TCB is aimed at advancing the school system's capacity to reduce stigma and break the silence surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Blood Safety and Youth Prevention
The Blood Safety and Youth HIV Prevention Program is a two-pronged HIV prevention program aiming to increase the supply of HIV negative blood in Botswana by encouraging more youth to become regular blood donors and remain HIV negative. The program supports technical capacity-building within the National Blood Transfusion Services to screen blood for all transfusion transmissible infections and builds the capacity of youth groups to mobilize more blood donors and develop targeted behavior change campaigns to prevent HIV infection among those donating blood. The youth in Botswana are the country's most strategically important group of blood donors because they account for about 60% of Botswana's blood donor population. To encourage the youth to donate blood, "Pledge 25" youth clubs are established to commit youths to remain HIV-negative through risk-reduction behaviors until they have donated blood at least 25 times. These clubs, which may eventually offer such rewards as scholarships and other educational benefits, will also encourage youth to continue to monitor their HIV status and to be regular blood donors.
Free Condom Distribution
Following research undertaken by ACHAP, the University of Botswana, and Population Services International (PSI), on the usage, beliefs and attitudes of men and women on condom use, a program was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health to drastically scale up the distribution of free condoms throughout the country. With financial and technical support from ACHAP, millions of condoms have been procured by the Ministry and thousands of machines are being installed in traditional and non-traditional outlets throughout the country. A team from the Ministry of Health ensures these machines are consistently replenished.
Resource Centres at District Hospitals
ACHAP has established hospital-based resource centres to provide HIV/AIDS information for patients and families, as well as HIV counselling and HIV/AIDS information for communities. Centres exist in Maun, Serowe, Selibe-Phikwe, Mahalapye, Molepolole and Kasane hospitals.
Support for HIV Counseling and Testing
ACHAP funded consultation meetings leading to the routine testing policy. ACHAP is supporting the Government of Botswana’s effort to expand HIV Counseling and testing in Botswana at the District Level. To this end ACHAP will be procuring one million rapid test kits for use at clinics at District Level. In addition, ACHAP will work with the Government of Botswana to build capacity for HIV Counseling and testing support and the promotion of IEC efforts in support of HIV testing.
