Training Doctors for Botswana, 1966 to 2017

Oatlhokwa Nkomazana,∗ Thabo Mokoena,§ Edward Maganu,♦ and Loeto Mazhani♠

Abstract

This piece is a straight forward account of how Botswana trained its medical doctors from the country’s independence in 1966 to 2017, the latter constituting roughly the first decade after the University of Botswana (UB) started to enrol medical students in 2009. By 2008, Botswana was one of the five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa without a medical school. With a relatively high Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Botswana was able to meet some of her medical doctors needs through training doctors in regional and international medical schools and recruitment of expatriate doctors. This strategy was eventually deemed unsustainable, as many of those trained overseas did not return to work in Botswana. After a number of consultative steps, a presidential directive was issued in September 1998 to start a phased medical school at UB. To facilitate this directive a high ranking committee was established to coordinate the planning and resource mobilization for the project. The committee expedited the requisite infrastructural development as well as the development policies and regulations that would enable medical education and training. As part of the phased development of the medical school a four semester pre-medical programme was developed at UB after which students transferred for medical training in four South African and two Australian medical schools. Finally, a fully-fledged medical school at UB enrolled its first class of medical students and specialist trainees in 2009 and 2010. By October 2017 the school had graduated 171 doctors and 21 specialists, significantly increasing the number of Batswana doctors in the country, which stood at only 382 in 2012. Botswana’s brave decision to invest huge resources in training her doctors is already reaping dividends but there are grave challenges and serious concerns boding ill for the facility.

Read here http://journals.ub.bw/index.php/bnr/article/view/1393

Presentation at Okavango Research Institute

You are cordially invited to Round River Conservation Studies' Research Presentations to be held at the University of Botswana’s Okavango Research Institute in Maun on Monday, 10 December 2018, from 10:00am to 11:45am.
Between September and December, RRCS had nine undergraduate students from universities across the United States who assisted in our field surveys and at the same time completed their course credits in Conservation Biology. The students would like to take this opportunity to share their three mini-projects with you from data collected in Khwai, Mababe, Sankuyo and Phuduhudu. The projects broadly touch upon:

i.       Community perceptions on wildlife presence and movement in four villages in Ngamiland
ii.      Dry Season 2018: A status report of Round River's wildlife monitoring in NG18
iii.     Herbivore Monitoring Field Manual: Data collection methodologies and demography kits

We are missing some contact details for some of the invitees and would like to kindly ask Trust Managers to extend this invitation to the Chief Escort Guides, Chairman, Village Chiefs, other representatives of the Trust and community members who may be in Maun at this time.

We are hoping you are able to attend and participate in the discussions that will follow each presentation.

If you know anyone else who may be interested in attending and is not on the above list, please feel free to invite him or her.

Best regards,

--

Samara Moreira Müller

Conservation Scientist - Botswana

Round River Conservation Studies

The Human Library

THE HUMAN LIBRARY

The Human Library Botswana, in partnership with the University of Botswana Library, will hold the first human library event in the country this November.
A human library is an innovative approach that provides a safe space for people to challenge their own stereotypes, assumptions, taboos and prejudices. The concept began in Europe where it was known as the Living Library. It was developed by a Danish youth non-governmental organization called Stop the Violence in an effort to counter violence based on discrimination, over 13 years ago and Human library events have been held in countries in more than 70 countries worldwide. The original event was open eight hours a day for four days straight and featured over fifty different titles. Botswana will be the 7th country to host this event in Africa.

The Human Books participating at the event will be volunteers who have self-identified as a “title” based on their race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, ability/disability, or by a particular life experience (for example, “Living with HIV”). Readers (the public) will be given an opportunity to browse through the catalogue of books on display. After selecting a book, they will be issued with a library card and given 30 minutes to “study” the chosen human book, after which they will need to follow a checkout procedure. They may decide to renew the loan or select a different book.

This incredible phenomenon is an effort to celebrate diversity and promote equality by deliberately acknowledging differences in lifestyles, ethnicities, faiths, disabilities, abilities and characteristics that may be stigmatized, in the hope it might provoke an assumption or even prejudice in readers. Interesting, thought-provoking and difficult questions are expected, appreciated and discussed.

Attendance is free event and the public is encouraged to come and share in the experience.

Venue: University of Botswana Library Foyer
Date: 24th November 2018
Time: 0900hrs – 1300hrs

Enquiries: Contact Mpho E. Pitse at +267 74177337 or email humanlibrarybw@gmail.com

Heat Wave

HEAT WAVE: TIPS TO STAY COOL

Botswana has of late been experiencing high temperatures with day time temperatures reaching the ranges of 36 - 40 degrees centigrade. This poses an increased health risk and may impact differently on the health of individuals as exposure to such temperatures may lead to heat cramps, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and severe sunburns and complications of chronic diseases such as Hypertension, Asthma, other respiratory illness etc.
The university community is therefore advised to protect themselves against these high temperatures as follows:-
 Drink Plenty of Fluids - Increase your fluid intake regardless of your activity level. During hot weather, you will need to drink more liquid than your thirst indicates. Avoid drinks containing alcohol and try to limit consumption of caffeinated beverages as they cause you to lose more fluid.
 Replace Salt and Minerals - Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body, which are necessary for your body. The best way to replace salt and minerals is to drink fruit juice or a sports beverage.
 Wear Appropriate Clothing and Sunscreen - Wear as little clothing as possible when you are at home.
If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, umbrella along with sunglasses, and put on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
 Slow down. Reduce or cancel strenuous, outdoor activities or reschedule them for the coolest times of the day.
 Take frequent breaks if working outdoors
 Adjust to the Environment - Be aware that any sudden change in temperature, such as an early heat wave, will be stressful to your body.
 NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles

MASISI FACES DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS

President Mokgweetsi Masisi is facing a vicious push back from the all powerful tourism old boys’ network which was the invisible force behind former President Ian Khama’s administration.

The recent elephants’ massacre propaganda war waged by tourism interests against the Masisi administration is believed to be part of a big “death by a thousand cuts” strategy employed by former President Khama’s allies to chip Masisi’s power.

Former President Khama is part of a powerful international network of photographic safari operators with financial interest in the Botswana tourism industry.

The network is mobilizing to protect the gains it made under former President Lt Gen Ian Khama in their long battle with trophy hunting safari operators.

Fighting the photographic safaris corner alongside Khama is Mike Chase Director of Elephant Without Borders (EWB) who last week shared an unconfirmed report with the international media breaching his contractual agreements with his employer, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, and Tourism (MEWT).

Addressing a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting on Friday Permanent Secretary at MEWT Thato Raphaka said the right to disseminate that kind of information lies with the Ministry and not the contractor, EWB.

He said they were still investigating the motive behind Chase’s rash behaviour with a view to hand the matter over to the Attorney Generals Chambers for possible litigation. “His actions amount to breach of contract,” Raphaka said.

Even worse, it has emerged that Chase has failed to substantiate claims of the ‘87’ poached elephants that he alluded to in his controversial report that went viral last week. Instead of the alleged 87, only seven elephant remains were spotted by the team of Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Department of Wildlife and National Parks, and other security organs that went to investigate.

Sources close to the old boys’ network insist that Mike Chase’s elephants massacre claims are less about protecting elephants and more about defending vested interests.

Read more http://www.sundaystandard.info/masisi-faces-death-thousand-cuts

Exhibition

Do not miss OKAVANGO ARTISTS ASSOCIATION's annual members exhibition. Official opening, Thursday 30th August 2018, at the Nhabe Museum, Maun. 6pm. The greatest visual artists in the region - paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, baskets, crafts, beadworks, etc!

Coffee made from Botswana

This coffee is a product made by a Motswana woman from Kolonkwaneng. It's made from Motlopi (Shepherd Tree).You can get yourself one for only P25.00 at my book launch on September 7th.Only locally made products will be sold at the stalls.Venue will be announced by Friday.

The LEA Tsabong office has been mentoring and monitoring her progress since inception.Mpho Leboane and Mbaki Letso Moiteelasilo have been quite helpful in assisting her with marketing #proudlyBW