U.S. decision to suspend foreign aid will affect Botswana's health care: official

Health authorities in Botswana said on Wednesday that the suspension of U.S. foreign aid with immediate effect will impact the southern African country's health sector.

GABORONE, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in Botswana said on Wednesday that the suspension of U.S. foreign aid with immediate effect will impact the southern African country's health sector.

Christopher Nyanga, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, said on Wednesday that the suspension of aid, if made permanent, will affect progress in the health sector, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

However, he said, the development "does not affect the availability of antiretroviral medication because that is directly procured by the Botswana government."

Nyanga said the ministry will engage all stakeholders, including the U.S. embassy, in a dialogue on how to continue the affected services.

He noted that over the years, Botswana has been receiving aid from the United States in the health sector, and many local U.S.-funded civil society organizations indicated that they have been asked to suspend their operations immediately.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund, 20.8 percent of Botswanans aged 15-65 are HIV positive. That translates to about 329,000 adults living with HIV. ■