Gaborone to host HIV cure study next year
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 | 2220 Views |
Remedy in sight: Gaborone next year hosts a new bid to find an HIV cure PIC: NEW YORK TIMES
While the country has done very well in exceeding two out of the three UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets and currently stands at 90-98-98, scientists are also working tirelessly to find a cure for the disease. The UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets call for 90% of people living with HIV to know their status, 90% of people living with HIV who know their status to be on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), and 90% of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy to have achieved viral suppression.
Previously, the country conducted or participated in various studies most of them conducted by ACHAP, which made a huge impact in the country’s fight against HIV and AIDS over the years. Those include the HIV Diagnose and Treatment back in 2008 where research was focused on fighting Tuberculosis because at the time this was the major cause of morbidity and mortality amongst HIV positive persons.
Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...