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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
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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