Ministry of Health to sign new agreement with BHP

Government continues its partnership and collaboration with the Botswana Harvard Aids Institute Partnership (BHP) to address key HIV/AIDS related public health challenges, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Alfred Madigele. Speaking during the farewell ceremony of the founding member and Chair of the BHP, Professor Max Essex, Madigele said the ministry will sign a new five year Memorandum of Agreement with BHP. “The new MoA comes at a time when the MoHW has finalised its new strategy to focus on policy formulation with programme implementation partners and district health management teams,” said Dr Madigele. Botswana government has been in partnership with BHP since establishment in 1996 and the institution has been leading research on HIV/AIDS advancing Botswana to become a world leader on the HIV/AIDS disease management. BHP has also undertaken relevant country specific and regional HIV/AIDS research training and capacity building, which are important in providing evidence-based policy and programming. Dr Madigele pointed out that Professor Essex has been a strong advocate for capacity building in Botswana. “I am happy that the MoHW and BHP are committed to continuing the partnership and collaboration beyond his retirement,” he said.