The impact of HIV/AIDS on Botswana (The effects of the pandemic in our country.)

National Response to HIV/AIDS  National Vision –Towards an AIDS Free Generation by 2016  National Strategic Goal –To lower the incidence of HIV and reduce the impact of AIDS in Botswana

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies (born out of situation and response analyses) 1. Prevention of HIV Infection 2. Provision of Care and Support 3. Strengthened Management of the National Response of HIV and Aids 4. Psycho-Social and economic Impact Mitigation 5. Provision of Strengthened Legal and Ethical Environment

National Strategic Framework Priority 1: Increase the number of persons within the sexually active population (especially years) who adopt key HIV prevention behaviours in Botswana by : Increase the number of persons within the sexually active population (especially years) who adopt key HIV prevention behaviours in Botswana by : Decrease HIV transmission from HIV+ mothers to their newborns by : Decrease HIV transmission from HIV+ mothers to their newborns by : Increase the level of productivity of People Living with HIVAIDS (PLWHA) 4: Minimize the impact of epidemic on those infected and / or affected, public services and the economy. 4: Minimize the impact of epidemic on those infected and / or affected, public services and the economy. The national objectives resulted in the formulation of objectives, supported by a number of outcome indicators to enable the measurement of success

Continued 6. Decrease the incidence of TB among HIV positive patients in the country 7. Increase the number of skilled health workers providing accurate diagnosis and treatment 8. Ensure the implementation of NSF Minimum HIV/AIDS Response Packages by all sectors, Ministries, district, and parastatals. 9. Ensure the full implementation of all planned HIV/AIDS activities at all levels 10. Create a supportive, ethical legal and human rights based environment conforming to international

Achievements 1. 53,000 orphans are enrolled in OVC programme and are being retained in education system 2. Home Based Care (HBC) has registered 7,119 people with 7,009 receiving food basket monthly % of pregnant women have agreed to prophylaxis or treatment. 4. Mother to child transmission has decreased from 20-40% to 7% nationally. 5. Country has secured safe blood supply 6. Over 25% of year olds have tested for HIV. 7. In line with International 3 ones principles, Botswana has coordinating body, one strategic framework and one national M&E system. 8. Botswana has extraordinary political commitment from the government due to his Excellency the President, Festus G. Mogae chairing the national AIDS council

Challenges  The national Health system is being stretched to the limit.  Large proportion of the sectors resources being directed & devoted to HIV/AIDS patients in the form of preventative and palliative care.  Recruitment of specialists and medical staff.

The Way Forward  Development of primary prevention interventions  Out reach and community mobilization, (especially remote areas)  Improve structures and systems for the national response  To use new and cost efficient technologies to increase capacity of health system