Gaborone, 17 March 2026 – The Botswana Pandemic Fund project Technical Working Group (TWG) convened to review implementation progress, financial performance, and coordination among partners supporting national pandemic preparedness and response efforts.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ms Kentse Moakofhi, Technical Officer for Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management at the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Botswana and Project Manager for the Pandemic Fund project, together with Dr Onalethata Lesetedi Mafoko, Pandemic Fund project focal point at the Botswana Public Health Institute (BPHI) and co-chair of the TWG.
In her opening remarks, Dr Lesetedi Mafoko welcomed participants and underscored the importance of strong collaboration and regular monitoring of progress to ensure effective implementation.
The discussions focused on reviewing achievements and challenges across implementing partners, receiving updates on national-level coordination led by BPHI, and identifying priority actions to accelerate delivery.
Implementing partners reported steady progress across key project areas:
The African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP) is preparing to deliver Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) training in Ngami and Okavango districts, with ongoing discussions to prioritize modules in line with available resources. ACHAP has also initiated development of an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) training plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
The Botswana–University of Maryland School of Medicine Health Initiative (BUHMMI) provided updates on a landscape analysis of surveillance systems, including completion of protocol submission and plans for data collection.
The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) reported significant progress in establishing the Health Emergency Leaders Network (HELN), including the development, validation and approval of a national mapping tool and draft governance Terms of Reference.
The Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) indicated that development of a One Health surveillance system prototype will commence following completion of the landscape analysis.
The Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) highlighted progress in the rollout of Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) in the North West District, with trained community health workers actively supporting early detection of rabies and malaria cases. Challenges identified included vaccine stock-outs, delays in digital systems and access constraints in hard-to-reach areas.
BPHI also reported key achievements in coordinating One Health activities at national level, integrating CBS data into the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) platform, conducting International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity assessments at points of entry, and supporting entomological surveillance during the 2025 malaria outbreak. Workforce development efforts remain constrained by limited human resources, highlighting the need to further prioritize activities and adjust implementation timelines.
WHO presented an update on financial implementation, noting progress in fund commitments alongside challenges related to disbursement processes, reporting timelines and contract management.
The meeting concluded with a call for strengthened coordination, timely reporting, and regular TWG meetings to sustain implementation momentum and support Botswana’s pandemic preparedness agenda.
