Botswana meeting its Aids targets - minister

Botswana has shown that developing countries can successfully distribute anti-retroviral treatment in their public health care systems, the country's health department said on Wednesday.

"Not only was the national roll-out of ARV treatment completed by December 2004, but we have exceeded our patient enrolment targets," Health Minister Sheila Tlou said the eve of World Aids Day.

"In 2001, the government commissioned a study which estimated that approximately 110 000 people would be eligible for ARV treatment.

"By September 2005, Botswana had 4 582 children on ARV treatment under the national programme, with a total of 54 378 people receiving treatment via the public and private health care systems," said Tlou.

"This has resulted in 48 percent of all eligible ARV candidates in Botswana receiving life-saving ARV treatment."

Tlou said median baseline CD4 counts had doubled from 50 to 100 since the inception of the programme in 2001.

"In addition, with patient follow-ups above 90 percent, and high adherence and resultant viral loads undetectable at six months for more than 80 percent of all patients, Botswana has shown that developing countries can successfully distribute ARV therapy in the public health care system."

Segolame Ramotlhwa, operations manager of the ARV programme "Masa", said there also appeared to be a heartening change of attitude among Botswana towards the disease.

"Botswana people are finally understanding, that regardless of their HIV status, they have viable options available to them to continue seeking and living fulfilled lives.

"This change of attitude is certainly reflected in the increased number of people coming forward for HIV testing."