Staff Writer
The Ministry of Health has secured an uninterrupted supply of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) medicines for 2026, the Assistant Minister Lawrence Ookeditse recently announced in Parliament, assuring the nation of government’s commitment to sustaining HIV treatment as a matter of national healthcare priority.
Assistant Minister Ookeditse stated that Botswana had secured a 12-month supply of the life-saving medication, underscoring the importance of consistent access to treatment in maintaining viral suppression and preventing new infections.
Ookeditse revealed that prior to the declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector, Botswana’s ARV stock levels stood at 71 percent. As at the end of February, the supply had improved to 73 percent, reflecting ongoing efforts to stabilize and strengthen procurement and distribution systems.
With the country having successfully diagnosed, treated, and achieved viral suppression in 95 percent of HIV cases, Ookeditse said the ministry is now broadening its focus to address co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes, which increasingly affect people living with HIV.
Botswana has long been recognized as a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Last year, the country undertook a strategic transformation plan within its health system, integrating HIV services into primary healthcare. The reform aims to provide more sustainable, holistic, and patient-centered care by ensuring HIV treatment is delivered alongside other essential health services at local facilities.
In further efforts to modernize healthcare delivery, the ministry is also in the process of establishing a computerized clinical information system. The digital platform is designed to track and digitize patient records nationwide, improving care quality, patient safety, and operational efficiency.
The system will enable real-time access to medical histories, laboratory results, and clinical decision support tools across different healthcare facilities, ensuring continuity of care regardless of location.
