Gaborone reports strong HIV progress, notes gaps
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 22, 2025 10:21
The report, for quarter one, outlines key developments in HIV testing, treatment, and prevention, revealing both gains and areas of concern.
A total of 4,409 individuals were tested for HIV, comprising 3,315 females and 1,294 males. Of these, 107 tested positive, indicating a 2.4 percent positivity rate.
Regarding Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), 32,485 clients are currently on treatment, 11,788 males and 20,697 females. This marks a decrease from the previous quarter. New ART initiations in Quarter One reached 188 (60 males and 78 females), showing a slight increase compared to 158 in Quarter Four.
Viral load suppression remains high, with a 99 % suppression rate among 32,109 clients. This reflects strong treatment adherence and equitable health outcomes across both sexes.
In terms of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), 1,903 screenings were conducted, of which 591 individuals were found eligible. A total of 1,288 people are currently on PrEP, though 159 discontinued treatment during the quarter. Injectable PrEP is also showing promising uptake. Of the 258 individuals screened, 249 were eligible, and 190 received their first dose. However, some clients discontinued due to side effects, the report noted.
Meanwhile, on Tuberculosis Prevention, 593 clients are currently on treatment with 47 new initiations. However, the report shows 3,802 have completed Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) courses with no active TB development during treatment.
“TB Screening: 36 TB cases identified (19 male, 17 female) with 30 tested for HIV. All TB clients enrolled in community TB care,” it says.
For voluntary medical male circumcision, 155 procedures were conducted, significantly below the quarterly target of 550, highlighting low male engagement in sexual health services.
“Condom distribution experienced a substantial increase to 210,472 male condoms distributed (up from 109,947 in quarter four) plus 28,600 lubricants, indicating improved prevention supply access,” it said.
According to the report some of the challenges include: persistent stock shortages of HIV test kits and laboratory reagents, low male participation in health services, documentation and follow-up gaps and district targets not aligned with actual program demand.
Some of the interventions made by Gaborone City Council include: continued stakeholder collaboration and community mobilisation, enhanced health education and counseling, improved client information systems, and targeted outreach to bridge service gaps.
On Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), under Antenatal Care (ANC) Services, new clients and testing: 1,061 new ANC clients registered with 981 tested for HIV, achieving a 92.5% testing rate (below the 100% national target). “Results showed 854 HIV-negative and 127 HIV-positive cases. ART Initiation: 125 HIV-positive mothers initiated on antiretroviral therapy, achieving an excellent 98.4%,” it said.
PMTCT uptake rate, from April-June 2025: 1,283 ANC clients with 1,261 tested (98.2% rate) and 156 HIV-positive cases, all enrolled on ART (100% coverage).
As for maternity outcomes, 1,784 mothers had delivered across four government facilities and two private hospitals, of which 1,721 tested for HIV at delivery (96.4% testing rate, below national target). While on HIV Status at delivery: 1,489 HIV-negative and 232 HIV-positive mothers, with 100% ART enrollment for HIV-positive cases at the time of delivery.
“About 63 women had invalid HIV status at delivery, indicating gaps in timely testing processes. Early Infant Diagnosis (EID): 90 babies tested for HIV (86 under 2 months, 4 over 2 months) with 89 testing negative and 1 result pending. Final Infant Diagnosis (FID): 69 babies tested post-weaning, all testing HIV-negative with 4 results still pending,” it said. While under partner testing, only 252 partners tested (26% rate), far below the Ministry of Health target of 50%. Results showed 231 HIV-negative and 21 HIV-positive partners.
“Quarter four: 287 partners tested (22.4% rate) with 30 HIV-positive and 257 HIV-negative results, consistently below targets,” the report reveals.
However, some of the challenges include a significant lack of male participation in sexual and reproductive health services.