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Country Profile: Botswana
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AIDS Programmes

National Strategic Framework: 2003-2009

Though the document acknowledges a growing number of refugees and foreigners in the country, no specific HIV/AIDS outreach is mentioned outside of making more HIV/AIDS awareness materials (posters etc.) available at border posts and Home Affairs offices, as well as the inclusion of HIV/AIDS messages on visa forms etc. The plan also calls for:
  • The use of sports role models in prevention messaging
  • More research into transactional sex
  • The strengthening of prevention programmes targeting commercial sex workers


    • Overview:

    Assessment of overall response and capacity

    The Government of Botswana has demonstrated a very high level of political commitment to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic and has adopted a compelling, long-term vision to have no new HIV infections by 2016. Botswana is among the 19 African countries that have established a National AIDS Council chaired by the head of state to take responsibility for a multisectoral response to AIDS. The National AIDS Coordinating Agency provides technical support to the National AIDS Council and coordinates the national multisectoral response. Activities are guided by a National AIDS Policy and the National Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS for 2003–2009.

    Botswana was one of the first countries in Africa to establish a national antiretroviral therapy programme. The implementation of antiretroviral therapy started in 2002 and expanded to 32 sites in 2005. By September 2004, Botswana had already achieved the WHO “3 by 5” target of 30 000 people receiving treatment by the end of 2005 (based on 50% of the WHO/UNAIDS estimated need in 2003).

    Critical issues and major challenges

    The lack of trained human resources is the most significant challenge as Botswana continues to scale up the provision of antiretroviral therapy. Issues affecting staffing levels include a government freeze on creating new posts to prevent future budget deficits. Antiretroviral therapy services need to be rapidly decentralized beyond the district and primary hospital level to include initiation of treatment at the clinic level in order to ensure further scale up towards achieving universal access to services. Coordination among initiatives of various partners and stakeholders needs to be strengthened, including partnerships with the private sector. Other major challenges to scaling up antiretroviral therapy include policy-related issues such as whether nurses should be authorized to initiate treatment, ensuring fairness and equity in providing antiretroviral therapy services and reducing socio-cultural effects and stigma. Nongovernmental organisations and community-based organisations engaged in the national response face the challenge of scarcity of available funding and limited capacity.

    Sources: UNAIDS, WHO

    HIV/AIDS Organisations

      Ministry of Health - AIDS/STI Unit
    Contact person: E. KokoTel: +267 391 2492
    +267 397 4104
    Location: Private Bag 00451 Email: ekoko@gov.bw
      mchakalisa@gov.bw
     Web: www.gov.bw
    What we do:Community home-based care services are available through district health teams coordinated by the AIDS/STD Unit in the Ministry of Health.
      National AIDS Coordinating Agency
    Contact person: Chris MolomoTel: +267 3903185
    +267 371 0314
    Location: Private Bag 00463
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +267 371 0312
    +267 317 0960
     Email: bmolomo@gov.bw
    nacaE-mail@gov.bw
     Web: www.naca.gov.bw
    What we do:
      African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership (ACHAP)
    Contact person: Ms Lame Ramokate, communications officerTel: +267 393 3842
    Location: Physical Address: Unit 1, Plot 115, Millennium Park, Gaborone
    Private Bag X033
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +267 393 3507
     Email: lame@achap.org
     Web: www.achap.org
    What we do: A collaborative effort between the government, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and The Merck Company Foundation/Merck & Co., Inc., to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS in Botswana.
     Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership
    Contact person: Ms Ria Madison, project administratorTel: +267 390 2671
    Location: Private Bag BO 320, Bontleng
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +297 390 1284
     Email: info@bhp.org.bw
     Web: www.bhp.org.bw
    What we do: A collaborative research organization dedicated to the halt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic through research and educational activities.
     Botswana Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (BONEPWA)
    Contact person: Mr David Ngele, national co-ordinatorTel: +267 390 6224
    Location: Physical Address: BONEPWA Plot 5346, Okavango Close Extension 11.
    Postal Address: P.O. Box 1599, Mogoditshane, Botswana    		Fax: +267 319 0977
     Email: bonepwa@botsnet.bw
     Web: www.bonepwa.botsnet.co.bw
    What we do: Umbrella organization specializing in advocacy/lobbing; networking; capacity building of support groups and members for sustainable development and income generation; care; support and prevention activities; treatment information.
     Botswana Networks of AIDS Service Organisations (BONASO)
    Contact person: Mr Daniel MotsatsingTel: +267 317 0582
    Location: Physical Address: Old Lobatse Road, Clover House, Plot 1277,
    Gaborone West, Gaborone, Botswana
    Postal Address: P.O. Box 3129, Gaborone, Botswana    		 Mobile: +267 713 18552
    Fax: +267 390 8436
     Email: bonaso@botsnet.bw
     Web: www.bonaso.org.bw
    What we do: National network facilitating research; information exchange; access to resources; policy influence and advocacy; capacity building and providing technical assistance to its members, thus enhancing their capacities to mitigate the spread of HIV.
     Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme (BOCAIP)
    Contact person: Jane Munene - Communications OfficerTel: +267 316 454
    Location: Physical Address: Plot 303, Nswazwi Way, Gaborone
    Postal Address: P.O. Box 601963,
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +267 371 820
     Email: bocaip@mega.bw
     Web:www.bocaip.org
    What we do: Increasing capacity for HIV/AIDS counselling and testing throughout the country.
     Botswana Red Cross Society
    Contact person: Tshegofabo Phaphe - AIDS Programme CoordinatorTel: +267 395 2465
    +267 352 465
    Location: Physical Address: 135 Independence Avenue, Gaborone, Botswana
    Postal Address: P.O. Box 485, Gaborone, Botswana    		 +267 312 353
      Fax: +267 391 2352
      Email: brcs@info.bw
    What we do: Support; advice; training on HIV/AIDS mitigation, prevention, care and support.
     Community Solutions Association (COMSO)
    Contact person: Koketso RantonaTel: +267 351 660
    Location: Plot 425, Mokgosi Close
    Extension 4
    Gaborone, Botswana    		 Fax: +267 351 660
     Email:
     Web:
    What we do: Prevention; care; support; sexual and reproductive health education.
     Coping Centre for People Living with HIV/AIDS (COCEPWA)
    Contact person: Helen Ditsebe-Mohone / Regina LesoleTel: +267 393 7159
    +267 598 4158
    Location: P.O. Box 50349
    Gaborone, Botswana    		 Fax: +267 393 7159
     Email: nc@cocepwa.co.bw
     Web: www.cocepwa.co.bw
    What we do: Provides community-based social support for people living with HIV/AIDS, mobilising them to become more involved in prevention and care initiatives and helping to destigmatise the disease.
     Metlhaetsile Women's Information Centre
    Contact person: Monica TabengwaTel: +267 397 7618 / 239
    Location: Private Bag 42
    Mochudi, Botswana    		Fax: +267 397 7195
     Email: mwic@bc.bw
     Web:
    What we do:Advocacy/rights; counselling; resource centre; legal aid; education.
     MASA - The National Antiretroviral Therapy Programme of Botswana
    Contact person: Mrs T.S Mphele, IEC specialistTel: +267 393 4380
    Location: Private Bag 0038
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +267 393 4381
     Email: tmphele@gov.bw
     Web: www.moh.gov.bw
    What we do: Botswana has become the first African country to provide free antiretroviral therapy to its citizens on a national scale through the public health service.
     Pan African Christian HIV/AIDS Network (PACANet)
    Contact person:Tel: +267 395 7691
    +267 395 7693
    Location: Suite 261, Postnet Main Mall
    Private Bag 00149
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +267 395 7693
     Email: pacanet@it.bw
     Web: www.pacanet.org
    What we do: Links churches, Christian organisations, and Christian networks to enhance their HIV/AIDS responses by sharing resources, ideas, skills, experiences, and stimulating strategic partnerships.
     Population Services International (PSI)
    Contact person:Tel: +267 318 5029
    Location: Private Bag 00465
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +267 392 3892
     Email:
     Web:
    What we do: PSI uses social marketing to deliver health products, services and information that enables low-income and other vulnerable people to lead healthier lives.
     UNAIDS Country Coordinator
    Contact person: Dr Evansto MarowaTel: +267 395 2121 (Ext. 400)
    Location: P.O. Box 54, Khama Crescent
    Gaborone, Botswana    		Fax: +267 395 1243
     Email: marowae@unaids.org
     Web: www.unaids.org
    What we do: UNAIDS, leads, strengthens and supports an expanded response aimed at preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS.
     UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS, Chair
    Contact person: Ms Viola Morgan, deputy resident representative UNDPTel: +267 395 2121 (Ext. 204)
    Location: Gaborone, Botswana +267 391 3193 (Direct line)
      Fax: +267 390 1459
      Email: viola.morgan@undp.org
    What we do: Supports an expanded response and policy advice on preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS.
    Sources: - The Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
    - The World Bank
    - World Health Organization
    - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Country Profiles
    - United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2005. “World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision.” New York.
    - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

    Treatment Map

    Adult HIV Prevalence Rate (%): 24.1%
    No. Of People living with HIV/AIDS: 270,000
    No. Of HIV Testing & Counseling Sites: 16
    No. Of People in need of ART: 110,000
    No. Of People On Public sector ART (Sept. 2006):
    Female: 37,140
    Male: 23,828
    *Children comprise 10 % of the public sector ART patients in Botswana
    No. Of Sites Reportedly Distributing ART (Sept. 2006): 32
    No. Of People on ART Public Sector (Sept. 2006): 60,968
    No. Of People on ART Private Sector (Sept. 2006): 13,059
    No. Of People Expected to be on ART (2006 End):
    Front Line Drug Regimen: zidovudine + lamivudine + efavirenz
    *PMTCT Regimen: zidovudine + lamivudine + nevirapine
    HIV/AIDS Fund Disbursements:
    Total Funds Disbursed By The Global Fund as of Sept. 2006: US$9,019,119
    Total Funds Disbursed By The World Bank Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Programme (MAP) as of Sept. 2006: nil
    Total Funds Disbursed By PEPFAR During 2005 Fiscal Year: US$51,838,118

    Sources: UNAIDS

    Indicators

    Demographics (United Nations Population Fund):
    Population: 1,765,000
    Population aged 15-59: 1,010,000
    Urban population: 927,000
    Under 5 mortality per 1000 births: 98
    Male life expectancy: 40 years
    Female life expectancy: 40 years
    Combined average life expectancy: 40 years
    Combined average life expectancy 1975-1980: 60 years
    Education (UNESCO, 2004):
    Males with secondary education as percentage of secondary school-age youths:
    73% (2004 UNESCO Institute for Statistics estimate)
    Females with secondary education as percentage of secondary school-age youths:
    77% (2004 UNESCO Institute for Statistics estimate)
    Literacy rates (UNESCO, 2004):
    Percentage of literate males aged 15 or older: 76.1 percent
    Percentage of literate females aged 15 or older: 81.5 percent
    Combined literacy rate for aged 15 or older: 78.9 percent
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