Drop in new HIV infections
Botswana continues to see a downward glide in the number of new HIV infections, with the current figures indicating a significant drop in the last three years.
The Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Sethomo Lelatisitswe told Parliament this week that the HIV situation in the country has gone down over the years.
The Assistant Minister was responding to a question from Gantsi North Member of Parliament, John Thiite who had asked the minister to brief the House on the status of HIV/AIDS in Botswana from April 2020 to date; by stating (i) the number of newly registered cases of HIV infections; (ii) the number of those enrolled for ‘Treat All’ programme; (iii) the current status of Antiretroviral Therapy drugs at Central Medical Stores and health facilities across the country; (iv) the current status of condom dispensation in Botswana; (v) challenges experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS on accessing
HIV/AIDS-related health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic; (vi) the current major health concerns on people living with HIV/ AIDS during the pandemic; and (vii) the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on Botswana’s HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment mechanisms at the national level.
Lelatisitswe said the country recorded 15,491 and 14,033 new infections in 2019 and 2020 respectively, while the numbers went down significantly to 9,465 in 2021. “Let me indicate that the HIV situation in the country shows a drop in terms of the numbers recorded over the years.
The numbers of people who have been infected have gone down,” he said. Lelatisitswe stated that currently, there are 335,362 people enrolled in the Treat All programme since it started in 2016. He also indicated that the current status of ARVs at Central Medical Stores (CMS) and health facilities across the country is at 88%.
On the current status of condom dispensation, Lelatisitswe said the country has an eight months stock available. “Let me indicate that we have three months stock of male condoms at the CMS while the stock at facilities can last five months. Generally, we have stock that can last eight months,” he explained. Meanwhile, Lelatisitswe admitted that COVID-19 affected routine care given to people living with HIV/ AIDS. “COVID-19 seriously affected all aspects of HIV service uptake such as screening, and routine check-ups as physical contact was reduced.
Many patients had to go for check-ups after a long time, even though they were classified as a high-risk group. We were very worried but I must say it wasn’t worse,” he added. He explained that other programmes geared towards curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS were also affected during the pandemic peak period.
Botswana is considered a high-burden country in terms of the HIV/AIDS epidemic being counted among those with high HIV prevalence. However, the country has been making strides towards achieving an HIV-free generation.