The Botswana 2023 integrated HIV clinical care guidelines

ABSTRACT

The Results of the Fifth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V) and the 2023 Botswana UNAIDS HIV Estimates, documenting Botswana's achievements in the fight against HIV are important milestones to be celebrated. These milestones should catalyze and reinvigorate our efforts towards reaching HIV epidemiologic control and finally ending the Era of AIDS in Botswana after decades of struggle. While the human, financial and personal investment in this battle has been great, we must remember that our goals were realized through our collective efforts towards improving the lives of those we serve. Now as we pivot towards facing new healthcare challenges, there has never been a more important time to reflect on the lessons learned from HIV and build upon our primary healthcare systems, to address rising comorbidities and prevent mortality. To further optimize HIV clinical care, we must continue to stop the spread of HIV among youth, provide appropriate public health interventions to key populations and streamline routine service delivery. Fundamental to these emerging goals is strengthening our healthcare systems to provide rights-based integrated and comprehensive healthcare services to all People Living with HIV, their families and communities. Having achieved what many believed was unachievable in our battle against HIV provides enduring hope that meeting our emerging health challenges is not only possible, but well within our reach. And as before, our ability to address Sexual Reproductive Health issues, Non-Communicable Diseases and other Infectious Disease epidemics, will depend on our resolve to work in unity across all cadres of healthcare providers, academics and development partners to save more lives. The 2023 HIV Integrated Clinical Care Guidelines will undoubtedly move us closer to solving emerging public health challenges, while maintaining our successes against HIV and ensuring that every PLHIV's longevity and quality of life are guaranteed.