HIV related deaths decline in Botswana - Masisi
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) - The Botswana President, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, says despite its challenges, Botswana has decreased AIDS-related deaths from an estimated number of 7,300 cases in 2010 to 4,800 in 2018.
Speaking during the commemoration of World AIDS day in Maun, President Masisi said it was due to the excellent treatment programme in Botswana.
He said although such achievements were commendable, more still needed to be to be done since government was far from required global target of reducing annual infections by 75% for the country to attain epidemiological control by 2020.
President Masisi said Botswana has consistently led the world in ensuring a low rate of mother to child transmission which is currently estimated to be lowest in the region at 2.5%.
“This shows that our efforts are bearing fruit and ending AIDS is achievable if we can reduce vertical transmission of HIV to below one percent,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that Botswana has exceeded all the three 90s of the 90-90-90 treatment targets.
“On the first 90, which is the percentage of people living with HIV who knows their status, we are at 91%; on the second 90, that is, those who know that they are HIV positive and are on treatment we are at 92%; and for those on treatment and are virally suppressed, we are at 96%.” he added.
-0- PANA MS/VAO 2Dec2019
