As the world pauses to recognize World AIDS Day, one African country hardest hit by the virus is turning a national tragedy into a tale of hope. More than one in three adults in Botswana is infected with the AIDS virus, one of the highest rates in the world. With help from an innovative partnership between the government of Botswana, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the pharmaceutical company, Merck, the country is improving H-I-V AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support. In addition, Merck is donating medicines to help treat AIDS in Botswana. Doctor Ernest Darko, heads the country�s AIDS treatment program:

"This program is not just about providing AIDS medicines, although that is very important, we�re taking a comprehensive approach that includes training of healthcare workers, educating teachers and the community, increasing testing and counseling and building resource centers and facilities." 

Nearly 15 thousand people have enrolled in Botswana AIDS treatment program so far making it the largest such effort in Africa.

CLICK HERE to download a transcript of this story:
https://www.cpwire.com/click.asp?feature=https://216.86.33.66/aidsday1.doc

CLICK HERE to download a multimedia (MP3) file of this story:
https://www.cpwire.com/click.asp?feature=https://216.86.33.66/aidsday1.mp3