ACHAP recently hosted a delegation from the French Presidential Council for Africa and Global Health Advocates. The 2 day visit from the 17th to the 18th June 2019 of comprised a delegation of Yvonne Mburu from the French Presidential Council for Africa Bruno Rivalan and Lucie Brousset from the Global Health Advocates and a photojournalist.

The the Presidential Council for Africa was created in 2017 by the French President Mr Emmanuel Macron to give a fresh perspective on the relationship between France and African states. It brings together leading civil society figures from the African continent and France. Global Health Advocates is a French Non-Governmental Organisation specialising in global health advocacy. As such, its goal is to advocate for reinforced political and financial support for these issues from European and French decision-makers. The Presidential Council for Africa and Global Health Advocates aim to highlight innovative African initiatives in support of Universal Health Coverage, thanks to the commitment of local and community stakeholders.

The purpose of the visit to Botswana was to highlight innovative, high-impact health projects in Africa, and French investments in global health. The French government is the second largest donor to the Global Fund. Additionally it was to raise the public’s awareness of French policy on global health and reinforce its assimilation by French citizens hence the delegation brought a photojournalist to document the visit. Lastly they wanted the visit to contribute to the modernization of the French Global Health policy by submitting recommendations to President Macron ahead of the G7 Summit scheduled to be held in August 24–26, 2019.

While in Botswana the delegation paid a courtesy call to National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) where they met with the two Global Fund Principal Reciepents (NAHPA and ACHAP) and their sub Receipents (BOCAIP, BONELA and Tebelopele Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center).

Following the NAHPA meeting the delegation visited the Central Medical Stores in Gaborone and the Boswelakoko Occupational Health Service Centre in Molepolole. The clinic focuses on TB and occupational health diseases for current and ex-mine workers/their families as well as peri-mining communities.

In order to appreciate programmes focused on Prevention for Adolescents and Young people the delegation visited a drama group at the Youth Friendly Clinic, Area W in Francistown. To learn about HIV Testing for Female Sex Workers visited the Tebelopele Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center in Francistown.