Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana has been recognised by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for the remarkable efforts in the HIV fight and exceeding the 95-95-95 target.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi received the certificate of honour from Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane who is the Chairperson of the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) in Gaborone on Friday(August 4).
President Masisi applauded the country for surpassing the set target, and acknowledged that there was still more to be done to achieve 100-100-100 target.
He implored the ministry of Health through NAHPA and its partners to engage in new strategies that would assist the country to have total control over HIV and achieve a 100 per cent record. In an interview, NAHPA National Coordinator Mr Ontiretse Letlhare said the certificate awarded by PEPFAR recognised Botswana as one of the top performing countries in responding to HIV.
Mr Letlhare said the important thing to note was that Botswana surpassed UNAIDS set targets of 95-95-95 by 2025 before time and was currently sitting at 95-98-98.
The targets meant that 95 per cent of the country’s population with HIV should know their status, 95 per cent of those who know their status should be on treatment while the 95 per cent of those on treatment should have their HIV viral load suppressed, he said.
PEPFAR is one of the main funders of the country’s HIV response.
Mr Letlhare said that the study conducted by BAIS had shown that the country surpassed the 95-95-95 target adding that the burden of the HIV virus within the Botswana population was now shifting towards the older population.
Therefore, Mr Letlhare said there were people in the old age cohort who had been on treatment for over 20 years and were living normal and productive lives.
He said as long as one complied with the HIV treatment they were bound to live a healthy lifestyle. Mr Letlhare said on the issue of strategies aimed at intensifying the fight against HIV, NAHPA had identified the need to work with civil society organisations.
He said in order to engage the missing percentages towards a 100 per cent target it was important to engage civil society organisations as they were able to reach all corners of the country, encouraging people to test for HIV.
Mr Letlhare said when one was diagnosed with HIV , a person was immediately enrolled in the ARV programme irregardless of their CD4 count, with emphasis on adhering to treatment so that they could be virally suppressed.
He said the certificate does not give a country some form of ranking but an affirmation that it was now coming out as one of those that were doing well and leaving behind the high burden tag.
Mr Letlhare said it was important to work on the stigma that was attached to HIV as getting rid of such stigma meant more people coming out and testing for HIV.
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