Private sector urged to join HIV/AIDS fight

Speaking at a Botswana Private Sector HIV/AIDS Partnership workshop in Gaborone yesterday, Ebineng said it is time the private sector interrogated its contribution towards achieving zero new infections by 2016. He said with the recent increase of the cut-off point for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment from a CD4 cell count of 250 to 350, there would be a serious need for more resources, which the government cannot shoulder alone.

"Sustainability of financing HIV and AIDS programmes has become a challenge and we need to explore different ways to address this challenge. This meeting presents an opportunity for the private community to participate in the national goal of achieving zero new infections by 2016," he said, adding, "but let our contributions or work be aligned to the National AIDS Framework."