Medical Training in Botswana

Background

In 2001, with no medical school and a shortage of doctors, Botswana took to the international stage and called for help in battling an HIV/AIDS epidemic that had struck nearly 40% of it's population.

In an address to the UN General Assembly, then President Festus Mogae said,

"We are threatened with extinction. People are dying in chillingly high numbers. It is a crisis of the first magnitude.”

In response, the Government of Botswana, the University of Botswana and the University of Pennsylvania formed the Botswana-UPenn Partnership to build healthcare capacity in Botswana.

Since 2001, The BUP has trained over 4,000 Botswana healthcare workers in clinical care at Princess Marina Hospital, district hospitals, local clinics, and the University of Botswana.

Initiatives

The BUP takes a broad interdisciplinary approach to building capacity in Botswana. Our educational initiatives are:

• Train health care personnel throughout Botswana in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS and its complications, including TB, Meningitis, Cervical cancer, and more.
• Develop outstanding post-graduate training programs at the University of Botswana with an emphasis on Internal Medicine and its subspecialties
• Develop joint research programs that address issues relevant to the health and welfare of the citizens of Botswana
• Offer experience in global health to Penn trainees

Educational Opportunities through BUP

Interested in pursuing a global health experience in Botswana through BUP? If you are a student of the University of Pennsylvania, or a Penn or CHOP resident, learn about what opportunities are available to you.