Botswana gets recognition for efforts to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country was awarded the prestigious award by the WHO director-general at the plenary session of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. It further stated that Botswana was the first country in the world to meet the criteria for silver tier status on the path to elimination of HIV in 2021.

“Botswana is the first country to achieve gold tier status, by reaching stringent targets in reducing annual case rates of new HIV paediatric infections from <500 per 100 000 live births to <250 per 100 000 live births, and an increase in service coverage from 90% to 95% of antenatal care attendance, HIV testing and treatment of pregnant women living with HIV. Botswana accomplished this within three years thanks to immense efforts by the Ministry of Health, partners, and community stakeholders”, it stated.