�We must all do our part� :: Mmegi Online

The year 2016 was a monumental one for Botswana. Not only did Botswana celebrate 50-years of independence, it also made history with a move towards controlling the HIV epidemic through the adoption of a new and progressive treatment policy called “Treat All.” Today, on World AIDS Day, I am optimistic this will be our best shot at finally ending the long struggle against HIV.

On June 3, President Ian Khama launched this important new policy. Botswana is now among the first countries to offer free antiretroviral therapy to any citizen living with HIV, regardless of their white blood cell count (CD-4 count), a measure previously used to determine a person’s need for treatment.

This will ensure more Batswana live longer, healthier lives and help prevent more than 120,000 new HIV infections, 55,000 deaths over the next 15 years, and significantly decrease new tuberculosis cases.

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