The third Botswana National Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS constitutes a blueprint that will guide the multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS for the period 2019 to 2023. The Strategy identifies priority areas where concerted effort has to be directed to create the desired impact in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Such priority areas include districts bearing a greater burden of the disease and certain population groups that are at greater risk of contracting HIV.

NSF III recognises successes scored in preventing new HIV infections and treating a section of the population already infected with HIV. In the same vein, it notes that we are at a delicate point in the fight against HIV and AIDS. We can either work hard to sustain and build on our gains or allow complacency to creep in and go backwards. The new Strategic Framework therefore spells out clear, concrete actions as to what needs to be done to sustain our achievements.

NSF III sets a very ambitious target for Botswana of ending AIDS by 2030. This is consistent with Sustainable Development Goal 3 adopted by UN member states in 2015. While achieving this target may seem a tall order to some, the target is attainable if we direct our energies towards prevention of new HIV infections and individuals take personal responsibility to avoid getting infected with HIV. Botswana is also on course to reaching the 90-90-90 treatment targets, which will take the country towards reaching epidemiological control of the disease.