Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit Initiates Collaboration, Begins Road Safety Assessment in Botswana

From May 20-24, 2019, the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) team visited Gaborone for the inception of a new partnership with the MVA Fund and the National Road Safety Council in Botswana. The JH-IIRU team – led by Director Dr. Abdul Bachani – met with local officials, led a stakeholder engagement workshop, and agreed on a plan for the assessment.

“This week has been full of very productive and insightful meetings with key Botswanan policy and decision makers,” said JH-IIRU Director Dr. Abdul Bachani. “We were able to meet with so many individuals who are committed to making a difference in Botswana. Our assessment and subsequent recommendations will pave the way to continued success in saving lives here in Botswana.”

Over the course of the week, the JH-IIRU team met with representatives from national agencies, such as the Department of Road Transport and Safety, and the Ministry of Health, in addition to institutions such as the local Red Cross, University of Botswana, and local emergency medical service stations and trauma centres.

Following meeting with local officials, Dr. Bachani and his team led an official project launch and held a stakeholder engagement workshop, which included an introduction to the Botswana National Road Safety Strategy and related activities identified under the plan such as safer vehicles, safer roads and mobility, and post-crash care.

Through this promising new initiative, the JH-IIRU team will construct a comprehensive of road safety interventions that have been conducted in Botswana, and to evaluate their effectiveness as well as identify areas for improvement. This assessment is expected to inform the development of Botswana’s new national road safety strategy.