Botswana commits to end AIDS by 2030

 

Botswana has committed to take all the necessary steps to remove impediments to accessing services by populations at a greater risk of contracting HIV and to tackle practices that perpetuate stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV.

"Once this hurdle is overcome, we would know that we are on the right track to ending AIDS as a public health threat by the United Nations target date of 2030," President Mokgweetsi Masisi said during this year's World Aids Day commemorations in Hukuntsi held under the theme: 'Equalise: End Inequalities, End AIDS by 2030.'

Populations at greater risk of contracting HIV include the adolescent girls and boys as well as young women and men, people with disabilities, sex workers, men-who-have-sex-with-men and other vulnerable populations bearing a disproportionately high burden of HIV and AIDS.

Masisi revealed that Government remains committed towards legal reforms aimed at removing all impediments to access HIV services by these vulnerable populations. He said over the years, a lot of investment has gone into building the country’s capacity and resilience for dealing effectively with HIV and AIDS.

He told the public that such unparalleled dedication to fighting this pandemic has, produced very encouraging results such that an AIDS free generation is now a real possibility.

The President said that the final results of the fifth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey, (BAIS V) conducted in 2021, demonstrate that this country has realised a reduction in incidence, or new HIV infections, from 1.35 percent in

2013 to 0.2 percent in 2021. During the same period, Botswana witnessed a steady decline in AIDS – related deaths from 6 460 to 4 600 per annum, whereas the prevalence rate among the adult population aged 15 to 64 years has increased to 20.8 percent in 2021 from 18.5 percent in 2013.

Masisi said the increase in prevalence demonstrates the success of the country's interventions in the management of the HIV and AIDS pandemic within the population which includes adherence to treatment, leading to viral suppression and positive living of citizens who have contracted HIV.

He said almost all the 329 000 Batswana currently living with HIV are on life – saving treatment, and 98 percent of them are virally suppressed.

“In this connection, I want to express my country’s most profound appreciation, once again, to the Government of the United States of America, the Global Fund, the United Nations family and Civil Society for their immense contributions and support to our fight against HIV and AIDS over the years," he said.

These successes notwithstanding, Botswana cannot afford to be complacent, the President said.

World Aids Day on December 1 has been commemorated since 1988, and it affords the international community an opportunity to reflect on progress made in the fight against HIV and the AIDS scourge.

“It is on this day that countries evaluate the impact of their individual interventions and determine adjustments necessary to enhance their effectiveness against the pandemic. This is also a day for people worldwide to unite on the common approaches in the fight to eliminate HIV and AIDS and demonstrate compassion to those living with the virus."