Own Correspondent
16th September 2022
The Ministry of Health has revealed that I Tech today handed over teleconference equipment for the Ministry of Health headquarters and 6 facilities around the country to support remote CQI, clinical mentorship programmes, virtual training and other relevant activities to make sustainable progress towards meeting HIV epidemic control.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to movement restrictions, staff were unable to provide the popular on-site mentorship and support, hence appreciated the importance of virtual training, mentorship and support,” said Dr Tshepo Machacha, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health services Management.
I-Tech is a centre at the University of Washington’s Department of Global Health with nearly 2000 worldwide staff in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and the United states.
In 2003, with funding from PEPFAR and HRSA, I Tech began to partner with the Government of Botswana to combat HIV and worked closely with the Ministry of Health, the US Government, local and international partners to respond to the health needs of the people of Botswana.
I Tech has already assisted the Ministry of Health in several projects such as the TB and STI National Curriculum(2004/2005), established a TB clinical mentoring program in 2006, developed a TB clinical mentoring program in 2006, developed the cadre of Monitoring and Evaluation(ME) officers across the country(2009-2012).
It has also developed the national in-service PMTCT/Option B+ training curriculum, BSc(Medical lab Sciences) degree at the University of Botswana, developed Open MRS based national TB patient management system, supported development of HIV testing services, curriculum and job aides, training, mentoring and direct service delivery at 72 high volume sites.
Shreshth Mawandia, I Tech Country Manager, said “COVID-19 disrupted our lives, including the delivery of critical services. And that is the reason we are here. The theme for today’s event is also very “MOVING TOWARDS DIGITALIZATION”.
He said, “In line with the theme, I-TECH Botswana is handing over teleconference equipment to MOH to assist with remote CQI activities, telemedicine, remote mentoring, all in-line with Botswana’s Digital Health Initiative.”
This donation was possible through funding from HRSA, PEPFAR and the US government.
