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Seek HIV testing for your partner and biological children

President Mokgweetsi Masisi giving a speech during World Aids day commemoration at Mochudi in 2018 PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
President Mokgweetsi Masisi giving a speech during World Aids day commemoration at Mochudi in 2018 PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

On the occasion of the commemoration of World AIDS day on December 1, 2021, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi made a celebratory announcement that Botswana has achieved the 90-90-90 UNAIDS targets because 93.2% of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 15-64 years are aware of their HIV status, 97.9% of those who know their status have enrolled on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 98% of those on ART have achieved viral load (VL) suppression.

This milestone means that as country we are not far from achieving the UNAIDS’ fast track targets of 95-95-95 before 2030.

However, we still have to continue to find PLHIV who do not know their status and who do not easily present to health facilities or community HIV testing services (HTS). Today’s discussion focuses on partner notification or index testing, a progressive service provided in Botswana to find PLHIV who do not know their HIV status.

Editor's Comment
Child protection needs more than prevailing laws

The rise in defilement and missing persons cases, particularly over the recent festive period, points not merely to a failure of policing, but to a profound and widespread societal crisis. Whilst the Police chief’s plea is rightly directed at parents, the root of this emergency runs deeper, demanding a collective response from every corner of our community. Marathe’s observations paint a picture of neglect with children left alone for...

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