mmegi

A nightmare develops in HIV treatment

Old enemy: Botswana is among four countries that have achieved the near-impossible 95-95-95 targets for HIV/AIDS
Old enemy: Botswana is among four countries that have achieved the near-impossible 95-95-95 targets for HIV/AIDS

The country’s recent world-beating achievement in the fight against HIV/AIDS, could be undone by reports that some patients are going without ARVs, while a shortage of HIV test kits mean many aren’t monitoring their viral loads. Mmegi Correspondent NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE reports

In interviews and field visits in the last two weeks, Mmegi has established that many local health facilities that do not have pharmacists on duty, are not dispensing Antiretroviral medication, popularly known as ARVs, and that there is also a shortage of HIV test kits.

The investigation was sparked by complaints from some People Living with HIV (PLHIV) that they were experiencing troubles getting their ARVs from their regular clinics as pharmacists have disappeared due to an ongoing industrial action.

Editor's Comment
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That should concern every Motswana. The implications extend far beyond cattle and farmers. Botswana’s beef industry is a critical pillar of the economy, supporting thousands of households and sustaining businesses along the value chain.The loss of access to lucrative export markets has already demonstrated how quickly an animal-health crisis can become an economic crisis.This is, therefore, not the time for complacency, blame, or political...

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