Botswana Open University
ChancellorAdvancing access, flexibility and lifelong learning in Botswana.
Source ↗NURSE • EDUCATOR • GLOBAL HEALTH LEADER
Professor Sheila Dinotshe Tlou
A lifetime advancing nursing, public health and health equity.
From communities in Botswana to international health institutions, her career has connected education, advocacy and leadership in pursuit of stronger and more equitable health systems.
BOTSWANA • AFRICA • GLOBAL
PROFESSOR SHEILA DINOTSHE TLOU01
The executive legacy interview
A life in her own words.
An intimate conversation about service, leadership and the people who shaped the journey.
WATCH THE CONVERSATION
From nursing and teaching in Botswana to global health leadership, Professor Tlou reflects on the through line of her work: people, care and opportunity.
05:00 • Captions are not yet availableDownload MP4 versionA connected life of service
Leadership rooted in care.
Health advocacy rooted in community.
Care for individuals became care for communities. Community work led to education and research. That foundation grew into national, regional and global advocacy for healthier lives.
03All leadership roles
Leadership today
Service across institutions.
Her present work connects education, nursing, malaria advocacy and continental health leadership.
African Leaders Malaria Alliance
Special AmbassadorSupporting African leadership and cooperation in malaria prevention.
Source ↗Nursing Now Challenge
Champion for Student EngagementEncouraging students and early career nurses to lead.
Source ↗Society for AIDS in Africa
Board of TrusteesContributing to the society’s continental leadership.
Source ↗Pontifical Academy for Life
Ordinary AcademicianParticipating in international discussion on health, ethics and equity.
Source ↗21African countries
in UNAIDS regional work
in UNAIDS regional work
30+International honours
reported in institutional bios
reported in institutional bios
4+Decades in nursing,
education and health
education and health
1985Early engagement
in Botswana’s HIV response
in Botswana’s HIV response
The human story
Before policy came people.
Nursing put Professor Tlou close to the everyday realities of health and care. Teaching at the University of Botswana extended that work to new generations, while research on HIV, women’s health and communities made evidence part of the response.
Across changing roles, the same conviction remained: health decisions must begin with the people they serve.
Read her story06Explore global health
Fields of work
Health is connected.
Nursing, education, HIV prevention and stronger health systems are chapters of one larger story.
10 SEPTEMBER 2026 • UCT GLOBAL HEALTH LECTURE
“There is no health without a workforce.”
At the University of Cape Town, Professor Tlou called for sustained investment in health workers, strong primary healthcare and health systems shaped by African priorities.
Source ↗
Nursing & education
Knowledge opens doors.
At the University of Botswana, Professor Tlou taught and researched for more than two decades. As Chancellor of Botswana Open University, she continues to champion flexible access to learning and the development of future leaders.
Explore education
Botswana Presidential Order of Honour
A national honour recognising Professor Tlou’s service.
Source ↗Florence Nightingale Medal
Recognition from the International Committee of the Red Cross for nursing service.
Source ↗Christiane Reimann Prize
The International Council of Nurses recognised her contribution to nursing internationally.
Source ↗HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein Award
Presented by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for global nursing advocacy.
Source ↗11Browse research
Research & ideas
Evidence that travels.
Scholarship on HIV, women’s health and nursing has informed her public leadership.
Home-based care in Botswana: experiences of older women and young girls
Health Care for Women International
Impact of peer group education on HIV prevention among women in Botswana
Health Care for Women International
ICN and education: changing prospects for girls in Eastern and Southern Africa
International Nursing Review
Realizing nurses’ full potential
Bulletin of the World Health Organization · Interview
UCT Global Health Lecture
Cape Town, South Africa
Enhancing Our Healthcare Systems to Better Serve Africa’s Healthcare Needs.
Source ↗Society for AIDS in Africa
Accra, Ghana
Trustee involvement in the governing board transition.
Source ↗Healthcare for All: Sustainability and Equity
Rome, Italy
Pontifical Academy for Life international workshop.
Source ↗
Speaking • partnerships • dialogue
Health systems are ultimately about people.
Invite Professor Tlou into a conversation on nursing, global health, African health systems or equitable care.
Make an enquiry ↗