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HIV prevention – New injection could boost the fight, but some hurdles remain

Mixed fortunes: Health Minister, Edwin Dikoloti is reaping accolades for the injectable ARV and strides in the achievement of other HIV targets. He however is also under pressure to improve supply of medicines for other diseases for Botswana PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Mixed fortunes: Health Minister, Edwin Dikoloti is reaping accolades for the injectable ARV and strides in the achievement of other HIV targets. He however is also under pressure to improve supply of medicines for other diseases for Botswana PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

While the world has focused on the COVID pandemic for nearly three years, less and less attention is being paid to HIV.

However, HIV is still a global problem. In 2021, according to the United Nations, 38.4 million people were living with HIV, over 650,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses, and 1.5 million became newly infected.

Nearly 70% of infections occur in key groups: sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and transgender people and their sexual partners. Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa are another important group, with nearly 5,000 getting HIV every week.

Editor's Comment
Justice delayed is trust denied

Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...

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