Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP) Executive Management today, 9 June 2026, met with the President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr. Duma Gideon Boko, at the Office of the President to brief him on the BHP mandate, its research scope, strategic value, and the importance of continued collaboration between BHP and the Ministry of Health.

BHP Executive Director, Dr. Gaerolwe Masheto, and his executive team highlighted the institute’s contributions to Botswana’s health sector over the past three decades, including impactful HIV and COVID-19 research, contributions to policies such as Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and the attainment of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, the discovery of the Omicron variant, and the training of local scientists and healthcare professionals through BHP’s capacity-building initiatives.

President Boko commended BHP for its outstanding contribution to research, noting that the institute has helped elevate Botswana’s global scientific profile. He emphasized the importance of evidence-based research in informing national development and encouraged BHP to continue expanding its research efforts in areas such as cancer, HIV discordancy, and drug resistance. He further implored BHP to continue playing a critical role in advising the national leadership and shaping best practices through scientific evidence.

The President also highlighted the importance of establishing sustainable domestic and African-led research funding mechanisms to reduce overreliance on external funding sources.

The BHP delegation included Executive Director Dr. Gaerolwe Masheto, Scientific Director Prof. Sikhulile Moyo, Operations Director Dineo Thebe, Business Development and Sponsored Awards Director Cornelius Gaetsaloe, and Communications Coordinator Tapela Morapedi. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Health Dr. Stephen Modise and Acting Secretary for Specialized Care, Dr. Tshepo Machacha.