The WHO Country Office has supported the government of Botswana in establishing an e-learning hub to enhance emergency preparedness and support other health programs. With technical assistance from Project ECHO and WHO/AFRO, Botswana was equipped with the necessary digital infrastructure, including learning spokes and IT equipment, to operationalize the e-learning hub. This initiative facilitates the delivery of digital education and training using various learning approaches, including interactive webinars, collaborative learning opportunities, online asynchronous modules, and tele-mentoring through Project ECHO's case-based virtual Communities of Practice.

WHO AFRO’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) team has partnered with Project ECHO and the ECHO India Trust on a five-year project to decentralize health workforce development by creating a network of digital learning systems (DLS) at regional, sub-regional, national, and sub-national levels. This collaboration aims to establish approximately 50 new DLS hubs and integrate the ECHO model into emergency preparedness and response operations across all 47 WHO member states. Botswana was selected as one of the phase-one countries for setting up these hubs. To ensure the hub's operational readiness, training sessions were conducted for the technical IT team in July 2024, followed by training in September for those responsible for leading the hub's training programs. 

A total of 23 participants, including SURGE members, field epidemiologists, district and national public health physicians, and technical program officers specializing in SRH, malaria, TB, and surveillance, received training on the ECHO model and the hub's functionalities. Representatives from the Botswana Public Health Institute (BPHI) also participated. This core team will oversee and coordinate emergency disaster response training across various domains. As a way forward, it was recommended that the Ministry of Health nominate a focal person to liaise with team leads and ensure the initiation of the outlined programs. Additionally, the Botswana EPL Hub should be integrated into iECHO to enhance its functionality and reach. Finally, a Project ECHO consultant should conduct a follow-up in six months to assess the implementation of the plans and provide any necessary support.