Botswana is a former British colony in Africa that gained independence in 1966. It has had one of the fastest growing economies on the continent due to being a major diamond producer. However, the country faces a major challenge from HIV/AIDS - Botswana has the second highest infection rate in the world at 24.1% of the population. The government has implemented various stages of response, beginning with eliminating transmission through blood and focusing on awareness programs, and now targeting prevention, education, and providing antiretroviral treatment through a national program. Despite these efforts, HIV/AIDS remains a serious problem.

1. BOTSWANA
 A former colony of Britain
 Independence on 30th September 1966
 Has had one of the fastest growing economies in the Africa

2. Botswana is the world’s
largest producer of diamonds

3.  Botswana is known for the incredible beauty of its
wild life
 Safaris are important source of income

4.  But...this fast booming economy is
being threatened by the HIV/AIDS
epidemic

5. As of 2006, Botswana has
the second highest rate of
HIV/AIDS in the world.
Almost 300,000 people
are infected with the
virus, 24.1% of the
population!

6. • First case reported in 1985
• Botswana’s response to the epidemic can be
divided into three stages:
 Stage 1 (1987-1989): Eliminate the risk of transmission
through blood transfusion
 Pledge 25

7.  Stage 2 (1989-1997): Response was focused on
information, education and communication programs
 The country was bombarded with HIV messages, condom
distribution boxes and AIDS awareness signs
 No behavioural change observed

8.  Stage 3 (1997 – present): Response was expanded in
many ways to include education, prevention and
comprehensive care/providing antiretroviral treatment

9. Stage 3
 Prevention - of mother-to-child transmission
 Education – Target the right message to the right
people
 Younger generations – art festivals, TV and radio
dramas, group discussions
 High-risk adult populations – diamond miners, sex
workers

10. Treatment – a national
antiretroviral therapy
program named MASA
was implemented.
-Goal of MASA was
to provide
antiretrovirals to all
those in need of the
medication

11.  Miss HIV Stigma Free beauty
pageant

12. Summary of Stage 3 response :
1. Targeting the right people
2. Improving of blood safety
3. Prevention of mother -to-child transmission
4. National ARV therapy program

13. Why does Botswana still
have the second highest
HIV/AIDS rate in the
world
?

14. Holy Cross Hospice

15. Programs: Home-based, Day
care and Youth Programs
1. Home-based care
- Medical care, psychological and social support
2. Loratong Daycare centre
- Adult day care, care of Orphans and other
Vulnerable Children (OVC)
3. Youth programs

16. Bibliography:
 Holy Cross Hospice:
http://www.holycrosshospice.org/Programmes.html
 HIV and AIDS in Botswana:
http://www.avert.org/aidsbotswana.htm
 Health Botswana:
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45822
 Holy Cross Hospice:
 http://www.holycrosshospice.org/index.html
 Botswana Basics:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/geos/bc.html