Sheila Tlou Explained

Professor Sheila Dinotshe Tlou is a Botswana nurse, specialist in HIV/AIDS and women's health, and a nursing educator. She was Minister of Health from 2004 to 2008.[1] Professor Tlou is a distinguished advocate for human resources for health issues. She is a recognized visionary leader and champion.

Education

She grew up in Botswana, she attended a school taught by Irish nuns—she had a gift for languages and drama, which motivated her career in Hollywood dream. Tlou graduated from Dillard University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Nursing degree. In 2014 she was awarded an Honorary degree by her alma mater.[2] Tlou studied at Teachers College, Columbia University, U.S., obtaining an M.A. in Education (concentrating in Curriculum and Instruction in the Health Sciences).[3] She also has a Master of Science in Nursing from the Catholic University of America. She took her PhD in community health nursing and a diploma in gender issues, at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1990.[4]

Career

Tlou has taught at the University of Botswana since1980.[5] From 1994 to 1996 she was head of Nursing Education, becoming an associate professor in 1999, and 2002 - 04 she was the university's HIV/AIDS coordinator.[6]

Tlou represented Botswana at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. In 2002 she was appointed to a special UN task force on girls, women, and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. She has also provided consultancy to UNAIDS, the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the World Health Organization. She took part in the international community educator meetings for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.[7] She served for seven years as UNAIDS regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, where she provided leadership and political advocacy for the AIDS response in 21 African countries.[8]

She has portrayed Precious Ramotswe, the heroine of Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book series, in amateur theater productions, and at one time was mentioned in media reports as a possible choice to portray Mma Ramotswe in the Hollywood film adaptation currently in production.[9]

Tlou is currently the co-chair of the Nursing Now Global Campaign and Global HIV Prevention Coalition. Now Global Campaign aims to raise the status and profile of nursing for Universal Health Coverage.Global HIV Prevention Coalition was born out of the need to address the gap and rise in new infections, despite success in treatment and care. She is also Botswana Open University (BOU) Chancellor, an appointment bestowed upon her by the President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. E. K.Mokgweetsi Masisi from May 2021 to April 2026. Professor Tlou replaces Dr. PHK Kedikilwe, who retired as Chancellor at the end of 2020.[10] [11]

Tlou is married to Botswana historian Professor Thomas Tlou.

Positions Held

Following the October 2004 general election, Tlou was appointed as Minister of Health on November 9, 2004.[12] After being defeated in primary elections of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in Palapye, she was dismissed from the Cabinet on April 1, 2008, when Ian Khama took office as President.[13]

HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment

Much of Tlou's work focuses on gender issues and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. Enabling women, particularly married women, in a patriarchal society to negotiate with their partner for safe sex has major consequences for HIV transmission. Tlou has worked with grassroots women's organisations and national campaigns to increase AIDS awareness in Botswana. She has also done a great deal of work in reducing the stigma of AIDS and helping HIV positive people cope with their lives.[14]

Awards

Works

Tlou is a co-editor of the comprehensive reference book for people working in the field of HIV/AIDS in Africa:

Selected other works:

External links

Notes and References

  1. March 2005. Nurse leader heads health ministry in Botswana. International Nursing Review. 52. 1. 10–11. 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2004.00412_5.x. 0020-8132. free.
  2. News: 2014-05-30. Dillard University Bestowed Honorary Degrees to Dr. Henry Lacey & Dr. Sheila Tlou. DU ALUMNI NEWS. 2018-07-10.
  3. Web site: Dr Sheila Tlou, Director, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for East and Southern Africa. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110617015854/http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/regions/easternandsouthernafrica/rstdirectorforeasternandsouthernafrica/. 2011-06-17. 2011-06-12.
  4. Web site: African KILP Fellows: Dr Sheila Tlou. August 2003. W. K. Kellogg foundation. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005306/http://www.wkkf.org/default.aspx?tabid=68&CID=-1&ProjCID=376&ProjID=15&TID=1044&NID=32&LanguageID=0. 2007-09-27. 2006-08-09.
  5. Web site: WHO Alliance Champion Professor Sheila Tlou. 2021-05-20. WHO.
  6. Web site: Professor Sheila Dinotshe Tlou . 2006-08-08 . Contemporary Africa Database . The Africa Centre, London |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060814043829/http://people.africadatabase.org/en/person/17609.html |archive-date = 2006-08-14.
  7. http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/news/events/aids_forum/tlou/default_e.aspx Nurses at the Forefront of HIV/AIDS: Prevention, Care and Treatment
  8. Web site: UIC Nursing alum one of '100 Most Influential African Women' College of Nursing University of Illinois at Chicago. 2021-05-20. nursing.uic.edu.
  9. http://www.filmmaker.co.za/readarticle.php?article_id=372 "Tlou mum over Mma Ramotswe role"
  10. Web site: 2021-05-27. Professor Sheila Tlou is the new BOU Chancellor. 2021-06-02. Weekend Post. en-GB.
  11. Web site: 2021-05-27. Prof. Sheila Tlou appointed Chancellor- BOU. 2021-06-03. The Patriot On Sunday. en-US.
  12. http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20041110 "Mogae appoints cabinet - Ten new faces - Five women"
  13. Gideon Nkala, "Khama fires five ministers", Mmegi Online, 2 April 2008.
  14. News: Sheila Tlou: A giant in Africa's AIDS response. Haynes. Rebecca. The M&G Online. 2018-07-10.
  15. http://www.bijzijn.nl/content/html/237.asp?nb_id=3571 "Inschrijven voor Anna Reynvaan Prijzen"
  16. Web site: Batswana celebrate 36th anniversary . 2006-08-10 . 2002-10-04 . Daily News Online . Government of Botswana . https://web.archive.org/web/20050210152448/http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20021004 . 10 February 2005 . dead .

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