Accomplishments
• Development, implementation, and updating of
standardized, country-specific training curricula.
• Continuing theoretical training for treatment teams from
ARV sites.
• Support of Integrated Practical Attachment training, a
collaborative effort carried out by clinicians representing the Ministry of Health, ACHAP, Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative, BHP, and WHO.
• Case Conference Calls and continuing training support for
ARV sites.
• KITSO Reference Corners established in Botswana’s two
referral hospitals.
• Provision of training equipment to all District Hospitals

Capacity-Building
During its first four years BHP-KITSO has worked to develop increased ARV treatment capacity and increased ARV training capacity in Botswana.
When the introduction of ARV therapy was announced in 2001 few physicians in Botswana had experience using ARV drugs. BHP-KITSO training courses and accompanying practical training began to develop Botswana’s treatment capacity. In 2002, four ARV treatment sites were opened. ARV therapy is currently available at 34 treatment locations country-wide—a result of Botswana’s growing treatment capacity.
Through their experience on the front lines of Botswana’s ARV clinics, physicians and nurses in the public sector have gained the relevant experience and expertise to train their colleagues in HIV and AIDS care and ARV therapy. The BHP-KITSO faculty, once comprised of international physicians, now relies considerably on locally-based clinicians. Practical clinical training—initially carried out by foreign doctors—is now conducted under the leadership of Ministry of Health staff. Botswana now has the capacity to fully train new
ARV clinicians.
These efforts have not been without challenges. The release of government staff to conduct training is limited by the enormous demand for ARV therapy. Amid general staff shortages, the time government staff dedicate to teaching often results in lengthening patient queues. For this reason, though Botswana enjoys a growing number of locally-based clinicians with training expertise, international physicians living in Botswana continue to assist with the program. Nevertheless, increased ARV training experience and expertise in Botswana’s health sector has increased the rate at which training can be provided, and thus, continues to increase Botswana’s capacity to provide ARV therapy.