Director of U.S. Centers for Disease Control visits Botswana

During her one-day visit to Botswana, she met with management and staff of BOTUSA, the 12-year-old partnership between the Government of Botswana and the CDC. BOTUSA employs more than 180 people and comprises three branches, including TB/HIV Research, HIV Prevention Research and the Global AIDS Programme.

The agency is also the main implementing partner for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Botswana, which committed more than $76 million (or P471 million) to Botswana in fiscal year 2007. Dr. Gerberding also toured the Tebelopele Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre, a non-governmental organisation that is fully supported by PEPFAR and receives technical support from BOTUSA and met informally with Botswana government officials, CDC partners and other U.S. officials. In remarks, Dr. Gerberding said the Government of Botswana has provided inspired leadership in the nation's fight against HIV/AIDS, and is a model of commitment in the prevention, care and treatment of the disease.