Title: "New dawn" for Botswana. Offering free HIV treatment -- and hope.

POPLINE Document Number: 276978

Author(s):

Stephenson J

Source citation:

JAMA. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2004 Dec 1;292(21):2565.

Abstract:

Although the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Botswana is one of the highest in the world, with infection estimates of about 37.4% of adults, a public- private partnership for addressing the epidemic has brought new hope to the country. One critical component of the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (a collaboration between Botswana's government, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Merck Foundation/Merck & Co Inc) is Masa (a Setswana word meaning "new dawn"), an ambitious program involving offering free antiretroviral drugs to all Botswana citizens who require treatment (http://www.achap.org/MASA.htm). Overseeing Masa's efforts is Ernest Darkoh, MD, MPH, an American-born son of Ghanian parents, who grew up in Africa and later received his medical and public health degrees from Harvard University and an MBA from Oxford University. JAMA recently spoke with him about how the program is progressing. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Botswana
HIV Positive Persons
HIV
Treatment
HIV Testing
Antiretroviral Therapy
Resources
Capacity Building
Developing Countries
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Organization and Administration
Program Sustainability
Programs