Botswana’s Vice President Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe says the UNAIDS State of the Epidemic Global Report released in December 2012 revealed that the rates of new infections in Botswana dropped by 71% between 2001 and 2011. Chairing the National AIDS Council on April 25, 2013, Dr Kedikilwe said Botswana recorded the second highest HIV infection rates drops in Africa at 71%, second to Malawi at 72% while Swaziland and Kenya recorded 37% and 32% respectively.

On Sunday 19 May 2013, for the 30th time, grassroots organizations worldwide will commemorate International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Communities will raise awareness around HIV, stand together with people living with HIV and remember the loved ones lost to HIV and AIDS.

ONGOING BAIS IV ON THE RIGHT TRACK At the end of July 2013, Batswana will know whether their efforts in fighting HIV and AIDS are bearing fruits when the preliminary results of the on-going fourth Botswana AIDS Impact survey are released.

The National AIDS Coordinating Agency, (NACA), Ministry of Health, Statistics Botswana and Stakeholders are finalizing preparations for the fourth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey, (BAIS IV).

Botswana is gearing up for the implementation of a combination prevention study aimed at reducing incidence of HIV infection. The Botswana Combination Prevention Project is collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Center for Disease Control -Botswana and the Botswana Harvard Partnership. The project will be implemented in 30 villages. The study, sponsored by President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, (PEPFAR) is aimed at reducing the number of HIV transmitters and transmission time through using ARVs to treat those with high viral load even before they qualify for treatment. The combination prevention project is not only a study but an intervention that will hopefully increase safe male circumcision, HIV testing and refine Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, (PMTCT) among people aged 16 -64 years targeted. It is also hoped to result in enhanced support for retention in care and ART adherence. The group, with members’ full consent will be counseled and tested to identify HIV infected, followed by a CD4 and viral load testing. Those whose CD4 count is above 350 with viral loads of more than 10 000 will be registered on antiretroviral therapy. Through the study, Botswana will be able to estimate the cost of the intervention per HIV infection averted in intervention communities compared with standard – of –care communities.

The chairperson of the National AIDS Council, (NAC) says Botswana should strive to become a center of excellence in the HIV and AIDS research, providing the best evidence of her programs and others globally.

The government of Botswana has revised the Anti-Retroviral Therapy guidelines in order to continue improving the quality of life of people living with HIV infection as per the World Health Organization recommendations.

The National AIDS Coordinating Agency, (NACA) has signed grant agreements to fund Tertiary Education Council and Makgabaneng with the aim to strengthen HIV prevention in Botswana through new and innovative approaches.