BOTSWANA’S health sector is facing a significant challenge following the US suspension of foreign aid. Health spokesperson Christopher Nyanga confirmed on Wednesday that if the freeze becomes permanent, it would hinder progress in the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS. However, Nyanga reassured citizens that the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) medications, which are directly procured by the Botswana government, would not be affected by the suspension.
The US has been a key contributor to Botswana’s health initiatives over the years, with many local US-funded civil society organisations now being asked to halt their operations. The government plans to engage in discussions with stakeholders, including the US embassy, to explore ways to maintain affected services.
The US Department of State announced the immediate freeze of nearly all foreign assistance worldwide in response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20. This action, intended to last 90 days, affects many nations, including Botswana.
Botswana, which has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, sees around 20.8 percent of its population aged 15-65 living with the virus, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund. This translates to roughly 329,000 adults living with HIV. The suspension of foreign aid comes at a critical time for the nation’s health sector, which has heavily relied on US assistance to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
