20 Jun 2023

The level of support by the UNAIDS country office on HIV and AIDS response related programmes in Botswana is commendable.

This was said by the Minister of State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, on Monday during a courtesy call by UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa director, Dr Anne Githuku-Shongwe. Mr Morwaeng said such support had enabled Botswana to succeed in targets such as the 95-95-95 in testing, treatment and viral suppression which Botswana had surpassed to stand at the current 95-98-98.

"Such achievements are chiefly due to your assistance,” he said. “The story of Botswana’s development trajectory would remain incomplete if there was no mention of the UN and its various organisations. Botswana has lately been showered with accolades for her achievements, and such successes would never have been realised had it not been for the collaboration which we had with our development partners, such as UNAIDS."

He said that through National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) which worked hand in hand with UNAIDS, Botswana was developing a Transition Readiness and Sustainability Plan, which would inform strategies for domestic funding for the HIV response in anticipation of the scaling down of financial assistance from traditional donors.

Minister Morwaeng said the plan too was fully funded by the UNAIDS Botswana country office.

Dr Githuku-Shongwe also indicated appreciation at Botswana's commitment in the fight against the scourge.

"We are also happy that such commitment has been sustained for so long under different leaderships, which shows seriousness," she said.

She said that Botswana's success also gave them pride as UNAIDS and was an inspirational story that many African nations and indeed the World could learn from. Ends