The Vice president Lt Gen Mompati Merafhe says Botswana's classification as a middle income country comes at a cost as the country continue to lose opportunities for concessional loans and grants.

He said this at the quaterly National AIDS Council in Gaborone last week. The Vice President said while the country thought it was on track towards achievingmost of the Millenium Development Goals by 2015, there is fear for loss of such gains if Botswana does not get additional financial assistance. Lt General Merafhe said it is vital that Botswana makes use of any fundraising opportunities that comes its way.

The Vice president said the war against the epidemic is far from over, hence the need for concerted effort and renewed commitment.  

Last month, Botswana submitted Round 10 Global Fund Proposal for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis  requesting over P930-million in order to augment the limited resources.

 Nearly 80 percent of the HIV/AIDS 2010/2011 budget of P900-million came from government.