By Staff Reporter
Botswana has achieved gold tier status in its efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The country received this recognition during the plenary session of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, awarded by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2021, Botswana became the first country in the world to meet the criteria for silver tier status on the path to eliminating HIV transmission. Now, it is also the first to reach gold tier status, having met stringent targets—including reducing the annual rate of new pediatric HIV infections from fewer than 500 per 100,000 live births to fewer than 250 per 100,000 live births, and increasing service coverage from 90% to 95% in antenatal care attendance, HIV testing, and treatment for pregnant women living with HIV.
This milestone was achieved within three years, thanks to the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Health, national partners, and community stakeholders. Since 2021, Botswana has made significant progress by revitalizing its primary healthcare system, integrating HIV services across different levels of care, and improving the quality of community-based health interventions.
Countries attaining a tier on the Path to Elimination, like Botswana, typically have a maternal HIV prevalence above 2% and must demonstrate the provision of comprehensive services for pregnant women and their infants. They must also ensure high-quality data and laboratory systems and implement services that uphold human rights, gender equality, and community engagement.
Since 2017, high-burden HIV countries making progress toward elimination have been able to receive certification through the Path to Elimination, which comprises three achievement levels: bronze, silver, and gold. In 2023, WHO awarded Namibia bronze tier status on the Path to Elimination of MTCT of HIV. Namibia also remains the first and only country to receive silver tier recognition for eliminating MTCT of the hepatitis B virus.
