Linking a Nation and a University

Our Mission

The Government of Botswana, the University of Botswana and the University of Pennsylvania formed the Botswana UPenn Partnership to build capacity in Botswana in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. UPenn is taking a broad interdisciplinary approach to train health care personnel throughout Botswana in prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and its complications, to develop outstanding post-graduate training programs at the University of Botswana with an emphasis on Internal Medicine and its subspecialties, to offer experience in global health to UPenn trainees, and to develop joint research programs that address issues relevant to the health and welfare of the citizens of Botswana.

 

About the Botswana UPenn Partnership

Botswana is a country of hope and possibility. The University of Pennsylvania is one of the world's premier higher-education research institutions. The two, a nation and a university, have twinned in an innovative collaborative effort to confront some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

The Relationship Forms
Six years ago, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership (ACHAP), which is a collaboration involving the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Merck Foundation and the Government of Botswana approached UPenn Medicine's HIV/AIDS experts with a request to help train local providers as Botswana implements its national HIV treatment and prevention programs.

Botswana has a democratic government and is among the most economically stable of the African nations. However, the country has one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world, with an estimated 17% rate overall and 34% for adults between the ages of 15 to 49. With the government of Botswana determined to control HIV/AIDS, The Infectious Disease Division at UPenn Medicine came on board, eager to help.

UPenn's doctors were soon rounding at the Princess Marina Hospital, the major public hospital in the capital city, Gaborone. UPenn physicians worked directly to train local providers with daily conferences and “bedside” teaching. The experiences were deeply moving and profoundly motivating. Many saw Botswana as an ideal site to involve UPenn medical students, interns and residents in global health training. Formal agreements were reached with the government of Botswana for medical and nursing care, education and research.

Constant Evolution & Progress
UPenn Medicine's commitment has rapidly expanded, incorporating many aspects of clinical care and more recently, educational exchanges with the University of Botswana. UPenn maintains a strong medical presence, with doctors and staff living full time in-country and over 50 UPenn Medicine students, interns and residents rotating through every year.

The program has also expanded with exciting new partnerships between many of UPenn's 11 others schools and various organizations in Botswana. UPenn's Nursing program, the Center for AIDS Research, the UPenn Wharton School of Business and many others have joined this multi-cultural, multi-faceted effort.

A Beacon of Hope
Started as a partnership to address the dilemma of HIV/AIDS prevalence, today, the Botswana UPenn Partnership represents all the combined positive power of a great nation and a great university. The program has already been incredibly successful in many arenas, and we look forward to many upcoming and exciting announcements and achievements.