17 Aug 2023

More still needs to be done to maintain gains that have been made in the fight against HIV.

Speaking at the Fifth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V) report launch, Acting President Slumber Tsogwane said Botswana had made remarkable progress at the UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 global targets of testing, treatment and viral suppression.

He said Botswana had managed to attain the 95-98-98 milestone before the set time of 2025, a feat worth celebrating and maintaining the momentum moving up the ladder.

“We have a duty and obligation to ensure that there are no new infections to the youth, especially among adolescent girls and young women. 

This report is an important tool for measuring the progress we have made so far and in identifying the areas that need attention as we tackle HIV and AIDS,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane called on all stakeholders in the national response to HIV and AIDS to accept the BAIS V results as they were a revelation of a true reflection of the country’s HIV and AIDS outlook.

He urged them to use the results for planning, strategic alignment and policy review and to also carry out secondary analysis and publish as many papers as possible to derive maximum utility from the survey.

He said Botswana continued to receive accolades internationally as one of the few high burden countries to make progress in the fight against the HIV and AIDS scourge.

Mr Tsogwane emphasised strong partnerships and cooperation, especially that of the US government through the Centre for Disease Control and PEPFAR.

“It is because of the collaboration that we have gained more understanding of HIV and AIDS in Botswana through which we will be able to apply our resources wisely as we walk the path of ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030” he said.

For his part, Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said although notable milestones had been achieved, HIV and AIDS remained a health, socio- economic and developmental challenge.

He said government had worked with development partners in realising the UNAIDS vision.

He said Botswana had witnessed a lot of growth since the first BAIS, which was mainly collecting socio- demographic information and some knowledge on attitudes and practices relating  to sexual behaviour.

Minister Morwaeng said despite the fact that the survey was conducted during the COVID-19 era, it was eventually concluded and done successfully. Ends