Program Area
Global Health

Our Goal
Through an innovative partnership between the government of Botswana, Merck, and the Gates Foundation, demonstrate for the first time in Africa a successful national effort to treat those living with HIV, slow the transmission of the virus, and minimize the impact of the epidemic.

Our Progress in Brief
Despite major challenges, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP), which the government of Botswana, Merck & Co., Inc./The Merck Company Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched in 2000, is making tremendous progress, particularly in expanding access to HIV treatment and care. More than 50 percent of those who can benefit from antiretroviral (ARV) therapy—and 85 percent of those with advanced HIV infection—are now receiving these lifesaving drugs. These are the highest rates in Africa. 

Botswana has made less-rapid progress in preventing the spread of HIV, although there are some signs that ACHAP’s investments are starting to have an impact (for example, a 45 percent reduction in the number of HIV-positive babies born to HIV-positive mothers).

Botswana’s progress in expanding HIV testing, treatment, and care has provided valuable lessons for other developing countries hit hard by HIV/AIDS. However, the model we have helped to build in Botswana requires significant medical infrastructure, which could make it difficult to adopt in countries with fewer resources. 

Next: The Challenge

Information in this case study is accurate as of June 2006