Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - October 25, 2004
"The overall mortality of patients on treatment is less than 10%," says a report compiled by Botswana's Health Ministry and WHO experts.
At least 16 government hospitals have been providing anti-retroviral treatment to more than 17 000 patients countrywide since the programme began in 2002. Almost 7 000 patients are being treated in private facilities.
According to the report, 85% of patients in government hospitals adhere to the programme, but many of them still have to wait for a long time to be treated at centres.
"This is attributable to the inadequate number of physicians to evaluate patients to initiate treatment, the small number of counsellors to provide services and the limited space for conducting counselling sessions," said WHO spokesperson Sam Ajibola.
He said the country also hopes to increase the number of government hospitals providing anti-retroviral therapy to 32 before the end of December and will include clinics in 2005.
"The Botswana experience proves that it is possible to provide anti-retroviral therapy services on a wide scale, with good results, in resource-limited settings," the report says.
The HIV prevalence rate in Botswana, with a population of 1,7-million, is estimated at 37,4% -- one of the highest in the world -- and has reduced the country's life expectancy from 67 to 57 years in 10 years.
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