Press Releases

Official Handover of the Nyangabgwe Hospital HIV Reference Laboratory by DCM-Philip R. Drouin

September 7th, 2007

(FRANCISTOWN) ‑- The U.S. Government will officially hand over the newly renovated Nyangabgwe Hospital HIV Reference Laboratory to the Botswana Government and the Honorable Minister of Health Prof. Sheila Dinotshe Tlou in a ceremony in Francistown on Friday.

Built on the premises of the former Jubilee Hospital, the reference laboratory has been renovated and equipped using more than $935,000 (or P5.8 million) from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Technical support is also being provided by staff at BOTUSA (the Botswana/U.S. Partnership) to help equip and run the laboratory.

Mr. Philip Drouin, the Chargé d'Affaires at the American Embassy in Gaborone, will perform the official handing over of the HIV Reference Laboratory to Minister Tlou and the Ministry of Health.

Also expected at the handover are senior officials from the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) Coordinator Mr. Christopher Molomo, Francistown District Commissioner Mrs. Sylvia Muzila, His Worship the Mayor of Francistown Mr. Buti Billy, Nyangabgwe Hospital Superintendent Dr. Japhter Masunge and Laboratory Director Dr. Nathan Gokhale.

The state of the art Nyangabgwe Hospital HIV Reference Laboratory, now the second largest reference laboratory in the country, will alleviate pressure on the Gaborone reference laboratory and step up services, allowing the country to double the number of people monitored for HIV/AIDS treatment and care. The laboratory will serve the whole of northern Botswana by conducting viral load and CD4 testing and supporting all laboratory services related to the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) program, which was rolled out last year as part of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program.

In addition to the renovations and purchase of new equipment, PEPFAR is also supporting training for lab employees’ use of equipment, the hiring of one new lab technician, as well as maintenance costs. These initiatives have already improved the capacity of the laboratory to conduct hematology, chemistry and serology testing for the follow-up of patients on ARVs.

All members of the Botswana media are invited to cover and attend the official opening and handover of the Nyangabgwe Hospital HIV Reference Laboratory.  Ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m.

Editors Note:

For further information on the official opening and handover of the Nyangabgwe Hospital HIV Reference Laboratory, call BOTUSA communications officer, Sechele Sechele at Tel 3901696 Ext 277 or on 71324712.