Botswana adopts injectable drug for HIV treatment

GABORONE, BOTSWANA | Xinhua | Botswana has adopted the use of long-acting antiretroviral injectables for HIV treatment, the country’s Health Minister Edwin Dikoloti announced Thursday.

“We have, as a country, embraced a transformative leap in HIV care through the adoption of Long-Acting Antiretroviral Injectables, specifically Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine,” said the minister when delivering a keynote at the four-day annual HIV/TB Summit in Francistown, the second largest city of Botswana.

According to Dikoloti, the decision was taken as part of the southern African country’s 2023 HIV Clinical Care Guidelines, which underscore the country’s dedication to improving the lives of citizens.

“We are committed to staying at the forefront of medical advancements,” said Dikoloti, adding that these remarkable medications have already been registered with the country’s medical regulatory authority.

Dikoloti said the country’s central medical stores (CMS), a government institution mandated to supply drugs and medical, have also embarked on the procurement process of these injectables. It is taking time to avail them in the country due to their unavailability in the market, warned Dikoloti.

Despite this temporary setback, Dikoloti said this transformative decision represents a paradigm shift in Botswana’s quest to provide effective, accessible and patient-centric HIV care.

Botswana was one of the first countries to achieve the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets in 2021 to become the first high HIV burden country to be certified for Silver Tier for the “Path to Elimination” of vertical transmission of HIV. ■