Three UB researchers collaborate with artists on street painting
Three University of Botswana biomedical researchers have collaborated with Infers Group artists to create a three-part street art installation tackling public health issues which was unveiled at Molapo Crossing Mall recently.
The project aims at engaging the public on health issues through art to promote prevention, wellness activities and communicate health information to improve knowledge. It is further hoped that it will help students in medical and other healthcare fields understand patients in a different way hence connect with them on a more humanising level.
Dr Keneilwe Molebatsi collaborated with Morekolodi Mantle on Mental Health, Dr Tiny Masupe with Khwezi Nsibande on Hypertension and Dr Ava Avalos Careena, Centre for Health, teamed up with Refilwe Bantle Wale on HIV/AIDS.
Infers Group and Arting for Health for Impact Principal Coordinator, Mr Abraham Mamela, said the project united stakeholders in the co-creation of street art installation that inspired the public, triggered social dialogue to challenged science and the community to unpack scientific concepts for laymen in a unique, stimulating and thought provoking manner.
Mr Mamela observed that the project was an international Welcome Trust funded collaborative public engagement partnership between Botswana, India and South Africa. He said it was running among the countries under the theme: “Engage, Enlighten, Empowered: Collaborating for Public Health.”
In addition, he said the UB biomedical researchers and a team from the Botswana Psychiatric Association shared messages on mental health, HIV/AIDS and hypertension with the public during the installation.
In Botswana, the project was sponsored by UB, Duma FM, and Molapo Crossing in partnership with Alliance Francaise, Careena Centre for Health, Botswana Society of Arts, Botswana Society for Human Development, Botswana Network for Mental Health and the Department of Research Science and Technology.