25 Sep 2022

The US President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will continue working hand-in-hand with  Botswana with the partnership focusing on the vision, Pivoting Towards Equitable Sustainability, beginning next month. 

“The US will continue to support Botswana as together we strive to reach the remaining hard-to-reach populations and ensure the sustainability of Botswana’s HIV/TB response and to ensure that Botswana continues to lead in this fight,” US Embassy chargé d’ affaires, Ms Amanda Jacobsen has  said.

She was speaking during a PEPFAR appreciation reception in Gaborone on Thursday.

Ms Jacobson expressed her country’s desire to collaborate with other stakeholders to develop a shared vision for a Botswana-led and Botswana-owned sustainable HIV national response that could serve as a model for other countries.

“Together, we can usher in the next phase of Botswana’s HIV response with conviction and compassion and pave the way towards the end of the HIV epidemic,” she said

Ms Jacobsen hailed Botswana for providing the best treatment to people living with HIV and AIDS and empowering local authorities to provide HIV and TB-related health services throughout the country, including in the most far-flung areas.

  The achievements could not have been possible without strong political will and Batswana’s individual  efforts which were complemented by US investments, she said.

  Meanwhile acting Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr Onalenna Seitio-Kgokgwe has   outlined the extent of US support to Botswana to which she attributed notable achievements such as the 2021 WHO silver tier certification for the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission.

“PEPFAR has been in Botswana since 2003 and has contributed more than P9.2 billion in health assistance for the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic,” she said.

Dr Seitio-Kgokgwe said other achievements included Botswana having surpassed the UNAIDS 95/95/95 fast track targets by achieving 95-98-98 way before the  2025 deadline.

She said through the same US support, Botswana managed to complete the long-awaited Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V).

Dr Seitio-Kgokgwe said the US also assisted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic including donating Personal Protective Equipment and vaccines. 

Other types of assistance were establishment of emergency supply chain structures, setting up isolation centres, COVID-19 vaccine rollout campaign, capacity building and  strengthening of existing surveillance systems, she said.Dr Seitio-Kgokgwe said in addition, PEPFAR helped Botswana to be part of the ECHO Southern African project.

“The support ensured proper management of the COVID-19 situation,” she said.The US was also credited with having assisted with the establishment of the Botswana Public Health Laboratory, Botswana National Public Health Institute and Botswana Field Epidemiology Training Programme whose first cohort was expected to complete mid-October. ENDS