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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
Our digital safety is in our hands

That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...

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