20 Nov 2022

University of Botswana (UB) has been commended for progress made in areas of research led by the faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Speaking during the Thibang Diphatlha study launch in Gaborone on Wednesday, Department of Research, Science, and Technology director in the ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ms Lesego Thamae said UB was on track by optimizing research to deliver social benefits to the nation and external stakeholders.

Ms Thamae highlighted that generating knowledge was important and a starting point to solve many of societal problems.

She said the expected outcomes of the Thibang Diphatlha study would improve timely access to effective care for women diagnosed with cervical cancer, thus improving their survival.

She said the study carried out impactful research which led to evidence-based clinical management that would change globally.

Ms Thamae hailed the track record of successful partnerships, citing collaborations with the University of Pennsylvania, Faculty of Medicine at the UB and the Ministry of Health which made the Thibang Diphatha study a success.

She further thanked the United States of America (US) government which funded service provision and research over the last two decades and continues to do that to this day.

Country Director of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from the US Embassy, Dr Steven Hong also stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships saying the collaborations assist in addressing real needs and challenge.

He said the US CDC was grateful to be part of the partnership supporting Botswana’s progress towards WHO’s 90-70-90 targets for the cervical cancer elimination initiative by 2030.

He pointed out that nations have learnt from Botswana’s remarkable accomplishment of reaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target for HIV epidemic control, saying those achievements could not be met without partnerships.

Dr Hong further stated that the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has worked with Botswana government to address the HIV epidemic since 2003.

“PEPFAR, through CDC-Botswana and its partners is supporting the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme to scale up screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions. Since then, 58 498 women living positively with HIV have been screened for cervical cancer while 3 641 tested positive for precancerous lesions and have been able to access treatment,” he said.

He further mentioned that progress was being made on developing national cervical cancer strategy, guidelines and protocols to guide implementation, strengthening data management, supporting the development of the national reporting system and utilization for decision-making.

The Thibang Diphatlha Study launch was graced by the Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Botswana-Baylor Centre of Excellence (BBCoE), Botswana-Rutgers Global Health Institute, Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP) including Botswana Cancer Association. Ends