title: Establishing a new medical school: Botswana's experience.
abstract: Having adequate numbers of qualified human resources for health is essential for any effective health care system. However, there is a global shortage of skilled health care workers, especially in Sub-Saharan African countries. This shortage is exacerbated by a disproportionately high rate of infectious diseases, the burden of emerging chronic, noncommunicable diseases, and the emigration of medical doctors. Botswana has also experienced this critical shortage of doctors for many years. To address the shortage, the country in the 1990 s embarked on an aggressive program to train its students at foreign medical schools. Despite intensified training, many graduates have not returned. As a result, the country decided to establish a medical school within Botswana. The newly established school was awarded a grant from the Medical Education Partnership Initiative, which has helped to accelerate the school's development. This paper describes the authors' experiences, highlighting curriculum, staffing, infrastructure approaches, key successes, and challenges encountered. The paper concludes by proposing solutions. The authors' experiences and the lessons learned can inform colleagues in other countries considering similar endeavors.
authors: Dr. Mokone is senior lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. M. Kebaetse is senior lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. Wright is lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. M.B. Kebaetse is distance learning specialist, Botswana Medical Education Partnership Initiative, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Mrs. Makgabana-Dintwa is training coordinator, Health Systems Research Unit, Botswana Medical Education Partnership Initiative, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. Kebaabetswe is director, Health Systems Research Unit, Botswana Medical Education Partnership Initiative, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. Badlangana is lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. Mogodi is lecturer, Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Ms. Bryant is consultant researcher, Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. Nkomazana is associate program director and Botswana Medical Education Partnership Initiative principal investigator, School of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
authors: Gaonyadiwe G
authors: GG
authors: Mokone
authors: Maikutlo
authors: M
authors: Kebaetse
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Wright
authors: Masego B
authors: MB
authors: Kebaetse
authors: Oarabile
authors: O
authors: Makgabana-Dintwa
authors: Poloko
authors: P
authors: Kebaabetswe
authors: Ludo
authors: L
authors: Badlangana
authors: Mpho
authors: M
authors: Mogodi
authors: Katie
authors: K
authors: Bryant
authors: Oathokwa
authors: O
authors: Nkomazana
mesh_terms: D001902:Botswana; D057191:Capacity Building; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*