Botswana has accomplished a significant feat by becoming the second nation globally, following Eswatini, to attain the "95-95-95" target. The goal, described by the UN, involves 95 percent of HIV-positive people to know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed on medication and 95 percent of those under treatment to show signs that the virus is being suppressed in their blood by 2025.
"Botswana is making historic new progress against HIV," Sharon Lewin, president-elect of the International AIDS Society (IAS), told a virtual press briefing of the UN presenting the results.
The country is "well positioned to end its HIV epidemic by 2030. To put it simply, these are really stellar results."
UNAIDS deputy executive director Matthew Kavanagh said Botswana's progress was the result of several factors, including government investment and the rapid adoption of self-testing.
"It's not an easy feat. But what it shows is, it is doable with investment and political commitment, as well as communities working to deliver the needed services," she told AFP from Montreal ahead of the 24th International AIDS Conference, which opens in the Canadian city on Friday.
Madisa Mine, the study's lead author and a Botswana government virologist, said "We have translated a hopeless situation into a situation where now there is hope,". Mine added that the people can now look forward to Botswana becoming an HIV-free country soon.
Source: France24. "Botswana hits 'historic' UN goal against HIV: report". https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220727-botswana-hits-historic-un-goal-against-hiv-report. 27/07/22. [Date accessed: 28/07/22].
Edited by: Aditya Vinjimoor
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