Harvard President Drew Faust toured clinics and laboratories of the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP) on the first visit of a sitting Harvard president to Africa. (View a slide show here) Established in 1996, the BHP is a collaborative research and training initiative between the government of Botswana and the Harvard School of Public Health AIDS Initiative (HAI).
President Faust Visits BHP: Slideshow
8:57 a.m.
President Faust arrives in Gaborone, Botswana and is greeted at the airport by Max Essex, Chair of the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership.
President Faust arrives in Gaborone, Botswana and is greeted at the airport by Max Essex, Chair of the Botswana–Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership.
10:21 a.m.
In the village of Mochudi, 20 miles northeast of Gaborone, Faust meets with Kgosi Kgolo Kgafela (right), the tribal leader, as Joseph Makhema (left), Project Director of the Botswana–Harvard Partnership (BHP) looks on. Mochudi is the site of several clinical trials being conducted by the BHP.
In the village of Mochudi, 20 miles northeast of Gaborone, Faust meets with Kgosi Kgolo Kgafela (right), the tribal leader, as Joseph Makhema (left), Project Director of the Botswana–Harvard Partnership (BHP) looks on. Mochudi is the site of several clinical trials being conducted by the BHP.
10:50 a.m.
Faust tours the Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital in Mochudi.
Faust tours the Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital in Mochudi.
10:57 a.m.
In the hospital conference room, Faust listens to welcoming remarks by the medical superintendent, Charles Onyach. The hospital has 130 beds and serves a population of 80,000.
In the hospital conference room, Faust listens to welcoming remarks by the medical superintendent, Charles Onyach. The hospital has 130 beds and serves a population of 80,000.
11:14 a.m.
Faust walks from the hospital to nearby research clinics.
Faust walks from the hospital to nearby research clinics.
11:34 a.m.
In an examination room at the BHP clinic, Faust talks to the staff about their current research in preventing mothers infected with HIV from passing the virus to their infants. The BHP recently announced results of the Mma Bana Study, which showed the lowest rate of mother-to-child transmission ever recorded for breastfeeding infants.
In an examination room at the BHP clinic, Faust talks to the staff about their current research in preventing mothers infected with HIV from passing the virus to their infants. The BHP recently announced results of the Mma Bana Study, which showed the lowest rate of mother-to-child transmission ever recorded for breastfeeding infants.
12:05 p.m.
Faust thanks the BHP staff for the work they are doing in Mochudi.
Faust thanks the BHP staff for the work they are doing in Mochudi.
12:49 p.m.
Back in Gaborone, Faust arrives at the Botswana–Harvard HIV Reference Laboratory, located on the grounds of Princess Marina Hospital. This state-of-the-art lab is a center of AIDS research and also serves as a training facility for Harvard students, from undergraduates to post docs. Photo by Richard Feldman
Back in Gaborone, Faust arrives at the Botswana–Harvard HIV Reference Laboratory, located on the grounds of Princess Marina Hospital. This state-of-the-art lab is a center of AIDS research and also serves as a training facility for Harvard students, from undergraduates to post docs. Photo by Richard Feldman
1:00 p.m.
Faust poses with BHP staff who are involved in AIDS training programs for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. From left to right: Joseph Makhema, Faust, Tendani Gaolathe, Christine Bussmann, and Richard
Faust poses with BHP staff who are involved in AIDS training programs for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. From left to right: Joseph Makhema, Faust, Tendani Gaolathe, Christine Bussmann, and Richard
1:43 p.m.
During lunchtime presentations, Faust learns about the research activities of the BHP from Max Essex. Areas of research include epidemiology, virology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, clinical treatment, and social and behavioral medicine relevant to the epidemic in
During lunchtime presentations, Faust learns about the research activities of the BHP from Max Essex. Areas of research include epidemiology, virology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, clinical treatment, and social and behavioral medicine relevant to the epidemic in
3:21 p.m.
Faust asks researchers about their current projects. Scott Dryden-Peterson (left in blue shirt), who received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard, is conducting research on improving health outcomes for HIV-exposed infants.
Faust asks researchers about their current projects. Scott Dryden-Peterson (left in blue shirt), who received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard, is conducting research on improving health outcomes for HIV-exposed infants.
3:35 p.m.
Laboratory manager Sikhulile Moyo gives Faust a quick tour of the Lab. Dedicated exclusively to HIV research and treatment, the Lab is designed to handle the high-volume testing necessary for large-scale HIV interventions.
Laboratory manager Sikhulile Moyo gives Faust a quick tour of the Lab. Dedicated exclusively to HIV research and treatment, the Lab is designed to handle the high-volume testing necessary for large-scale HIV interventions.
3:40 p.m.
On the front steps of the BHP headquarters, Faust joins the senior staff for a quick photo.
On the front steps of the BHP headquarters, Faust joins the senior staff for a quick photo.
4:11 p.m.
Faust and Botswana’s Minister of Health, John Seakgosing (at head of table), discuss how Harvard and the government of Botswana can continue to collaborate on HIV/AIDS research.
Faust and Botswana’s Minister of Health, John Seakgosing (at head of table), discuss how Harvard and the government of Botswana can continue to collaborate on HIV/AIDS research.
6:19 p.m.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Botswana, Bojosi Othogile (center), welcomes Faust to Botswana. The two universities cooperate on student exchanges.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Botswana, Bojosi Othogile (center), welcomes Faust to Botswana. The two universities cooperate on student exchanges.
6:56 p.m.
Former President Festus Mogae (left), whose leadership helped make Botswana a model for national AIDS programs, heartily welcomes Faust as Mompati Mmalane (center), Deputy Project Director of the BHP, looks on.
Former President Festus Mogae (left), whose leadership helped make Botswana a model for national AIDS programs, heartily welcomes Faust as Mompati Mmalane (center), Deputy Project Director of the BHP, looks on.
7:33 p.m.
At dinner in honor of Faust’s visit to Botswana, entertainment is provided by Dikakapa, a group that performs traditionally-inspired dances and songs. Photo by Greg Kelebonye
At dinner in honor of Faust’s visit to Botswana, entertainment is provided by Dikakapa, a group that performs traditionally-inspired dances and songs. Photo by Greg Kelebonye
7:58 p.m.
Faust thanks the assembled doctors, researchers, and government officials who have been an integral part of the Botswana–Harvard Partnership.
Faust thanks the assembled doctors, researchers, and government officials who have been an integral part of the Botswana–Harvard Partnership.