Page 13 - Issue 27

Feature 13

The Voice of Science

in Botswana during

COVID-19 Crisis Webinar

nited Nations Botswana today and this has seen Botswana enjoy lower
19/06 in collaboration Botswana fatality rate and hospitalization of Covid
UInternational University Of 19 cases. However, worrying Botswana
Science and Technology (BIUST) held has a high rate of co-morbidities and
a webinar titled -The Voice of Science that puts the country at disadvantage
in Botswana during COVID-19 Crisis in transmission. He spoke briefly about
Webinar. The webinar had experts like the RN whichote describes how many
Professor Joe Jarvis an infectious disease people are infected in a pandemic and
doctor from Harvard Aids institute in how they may transfer to the next two
Gaborone as well as Professor Kerstin people. This shows in image below that
Andrae - Marobela : Department of social distancing is indeed effective.
biological sciences at University of He also talked about super spreading
Botswana. events that spread the disease in indoor
areas.
Giving introductory and opening
remarks during the webinar, the Vice Professor Marobela spoke at length
Chancellor of BIUST Professor Totolo about the formulations of natural
called on Scientists and Researchers products which can be used to inhibit
to aid policy making and framework the virus itself, stabilize symptoms and
development for the current and promote healthy immune system.28 Professor Joe Javis NIHR Global Health Re-
future crisis. He also said, “The global scientists in Botswana have collaborated search Professor, currently based full time in
community is banking on science and efforts form a Covid 19 Relief consortium. Gaborone, Botswana, where I work for the
research to provide solutions pivotal This network is aided by traditional Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
to Covid 19 research hoping for quick health practitioners in Botswana as per
results to deal with the pandemic from WHO recommendations. She said more
understanding the disease diagnostics traditional scientists were voluntarily
to vaccine and treatments. As science seeking ways to assist University of
is understood to provide technical Botswana.
solutions to tackle this global challenge,
Scientists and Researchers are on the Dr Lemme Kebaabetswe , a Virologist
spotlight globally as the international at BIUST as well as Senior Lecturer.
community awaits the cure of COVID Her experience is in respiratory viruses
19.” especially influenza. She spoke about
the virus itself and makeup during the
Professor Joe Javis gave a background on webinar and how Botswana should
the epidemiology and modelling OF THE realise they will lose a few people to
Covid 19 specific to Botswana landscape. get back to normal day to day life. Most
In his presentation he pointed out that importantly she highlighted the need Kebaabetswe Lemme P.
the botswana demography is young for more funding for researchers. She Lecturer -BIUST
with most people compared to Italy said the talent is there but there is little Biological & Biotechnological Sciences
money to back up researchers.
Faculty of Sciences

www.engineerbw.com Issue 27 - May /June 2020