GABORONE, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Botswana has done a lot in trying to save the lives of its people since the first case of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) was detected in the southern African country in the 1980s, an official has said.
"It is pleasing that we have been able to bring down mother-to-child HIV transmission rate to under 5 percent, one of the lowest in the world," said Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti on Monday when officially opening the Botswana International HIV Conference in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.
Botswana also provides antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90 percent of pregnant women, said Dikoloti.
The international HIV conference provides an opportunity for experts to come together and share recent updates and research findings. It also presents a platform for advocates and HIV activists to engage with the scientific world, exchange ideas, and deliberate on ways to address issues affecting those infected and affected by HIV.
This conference came when Botswana has been awarded the silver tier recognition by the World Health Organization as the first high-burden country to achieve a milestone in eliminating mother-to-child transmission. ■