Why the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa is not yet lost
Kasmauski/National Geographic Five years ago, Botswana was an HIV/AIDS basket case. It had the highest incidence of the disease in the world. Almost 40 percent of its adult population was infected. Average life expectancy had fallen below 40 years. Botswana was battling against “extinction.” In response, the government, with help from international agencies, embarked upon ...
Kasmauski/National Geographic
Five years ago, Botswana was an HIV/AIDS basket case. It had the highest incidence of the disease in the world. Almost 40 percent of its adult population was infected. Average life expectancy had fallen below 40 years. Botswana was battling against “extinction.”
In response, the government, with help from international agencies, embarked upon a campaign to contain the spread of the virus. The results are now beginning to show, and they suggest that Africa’s troubles aren’t always insurmountable.
Botswana has reduced the rate of HIV transmission from mother to child to below 4 percent through vigilant testing programs followed by drug treatments for mothers who are infected. Thirty-four percent of Botwana’s pregnant women—around 14,000 people—are HIV-positive, and the chances of passing on HIV to a baby is between 30 and 35 percent when there’s no intervention. In other words, Botswana’s effective response has saved thousands of babies from contracting the virus every year. Botswana is now within the range of the United States and Europe, where less than 2 percent of babies born to HIV-positive mothers have the virus.
Botswana is also looking up in terms of other indicators. The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has dropped to around 24 percent (it’s still high, but significantly better than five years ago), and life expectancy has increased 10 years, to over 50. Obviously, there’s still a long way to go. But it just goes to show that smart interventions can make an enormous difference in a very short time.
More from Foreign Policy
Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?
The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.
Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World
It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.
It’s a New Great Game. Again.
Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.
Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing
The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
