BOTSWANA LEADS THE WORLD IN ENDING MOTHER-TO-CHILD HIV TRANSMISSION

Botswana recognised with the World Health Organisation’s Gold Tier as the first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) virus.

Botswana Health Fight against hiv Eliminate mother-to-child transmission Recognition.
Botswana Emerge as a Global Leader in the Fight Against HIV
Botswana Emerge as a Global Leader in the Fight Against HIV


Botswana has emerged as a global leader in the fight against HIV, becoming the first country with a high HIV burden to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the virus. Recognised with the World Health Organisation’s Gold Tier certification in May 2025, the country’s achievement signals a new era in global health, one where even the hardest-hit nations can reverse the course of a deadly epidemic.

This recognition places Botswana at the forefront of the United Nations-led Triple Elimination Initiative, which aims to eradicate vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Botswana’s success is a result of over two decades of relentless public health investment, innovation, and community mobilisation.

Over the past years, Botswana was known globally for a different reason; it was the epicentre of the HIV/AIDS crisis, with a staggering adult prevalence rate of 30% in 1999. Life expectancy plummeted, and public health systems were stretched to their limits.

Yet, against the odds, Botswana rewrote its story. By 2023, the country had slashed its MTCT rate to just 1.2%, with fewer than 100 infants born with HIV, far below the international threshold for elimination.

Key to this dramatic turnaround was Botswana’s early adoption of the Option B+ policy, ensuring lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV, regardless of their clinical condition. Unlike many nations, Botswana also made ART universally free, extending access to citizens and non-citizens alike.

The transformation was supported by sweeping health reforms, including the deployment of digital health tools like Open-MRS to track patient care and decentralised health management at the district level, ensuring consistent services even in remote communities.

But infrastructure alone wasn’t enough. Botswana’s victory was powered by strong political commitment, strategic partnerships, and community-driven action. Civil society played a pivotal role, leading awareness campaigns, supporting partner testing, and creating male-friendly platforms that encouraged wider participation in maternal and child health efforts.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) hailed the achievement as proof that “no country is too far gone” when the right mix of leadership, innovation, investment, and inclusion is applied.

Botswana’s story is not just about numbers; it’s about hope. It redefines what’s possible in global health and offers a compelling model for countries still fighting high HIV transmission rates. 

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