02 Jun 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama will launch the Ministry of Health Test and Treat for HIV Prevention Initiative in Oodi on June 3 .

Botswana has been gearing up for a combination prevention strategy aimed at reducing incidence of HIV infection.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health (MoH), the test and treat comes under the premise that if more people are tested and get enrolled into lifelong Anti-Retroviral Therapy on time, then this would improve their quality of health and life hence the reduction of HIV transmission in the country.

It comes at time when countries have committed themselves to the 90 90 90 global initiative, which says that 90 per cent of people should test and know their HIV status, 90 per cent  of those who have tested positive should be on treatment and 90 per cent of those on treatment should adhere to treatment.

This calls for an integrated approach, which will promote testing for HIV while linking HIV positive clients to treatment and monitor and support those on treatment to adhere.

There will be need for strategies which will encourage communities to own the program because if more people are to be enrolled the health system would be over whelmed by clients who would be in need of services and psychosocial support.

The objectives of this initiative are to promote test and treat program in communities and enhance HIV Testing.
Another objective is to engage and involve communities in the promotion of test and treat in the context of 90 90 90 and also identify myths and misconceptions about the program and solve them with communities. Ends