*6.2.1 Tuberculosis*

Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that is a major cause of ill health and one of the leading causes of death worldwide [26]. In Botswana, the incidence of TB is 235/100000, including also occurring as HIV/TB comorbidities. In addition, some patients develop Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) infections with about 15/1000. Lowincome populations with poor housing are mostly affected.

The Ministry of Health in Botswana established the National Tuberculosis Programme (BNTP) in 1975 to fight the spread of tuberculosis. A community-based care approach that reaches patients in the community was established [26]. The country adopted the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1995 treatment strategy focused on tuberculosis and HIV prevention. In addition, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP) contributes to eradicating the diseases in line with the WHO and the United Nations (UN) Member States' strategy. The effort focuses on preventative treatment, poverty alleviation and research to reduce the infection rate by 90% in 2035 [26]. As a result, the treatment success rate is high, including in patients with HIV on treatment [27].

### *6.2.2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)*

The HIV infection is monitored and evaluated using Surveys. The (BAIS V) conducted in 2021 revealed an annual incidence of HIV among adults aged 15–64 years in Botswana was 0.2%, which is 2200 new cases of HIV per year among adults. HIV incidence was 0.4% among females and 0.0% among males [28]. Females are the most affected, with a prevalence of 26.2 and 15.2% among males. HIV infection among children aged 0–14 in Botswana was 0.8%. That is 5600 children living with HIV. The study revealed high viral Load suppression among adults aged 15–64 years living with HIV in Botswana [29]. Botswana has greatly succeeded in combating the infection, and now the country strives for zero infection.
