GABORONE, Oct 17 (AFP) - Botswana will introduce HIV testing centers in all government facilities from early next year in a bid to prevent the epidemic from ravaging the country, President Festus Mogae said Friday.

Mogae, in a speech broadcast to the nation, said Botswana would work with the United States to introduce counselling and testing centers in buildings in built-up and underdeveloped rural areas.

"It is expected that all patients with symptoms associated with HIV and AIDS will be routinely offered a test with the opportunity to opt out should they so desire," Mogae said.

"Government would like to see more Botswana testing so that we may prevent further spread of the infection and reduce suffering among infected," he added.

Botswana's 1.5 million population has the world's highest HIV infection rate, with nearly 40 percent of sexually active people infected with the disease.

About 110,000 people are thought to be in dire need of the anti-retroviral therapy in the southern African country.

Mogae said Botswana faced an unprecedented challenge in defeating the pandemic.

"As a result of this scourge the country is facing a diminishing workforce, an increase in the number of orphans, currently estimated at 41,000 and an increase in funeral costs"

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