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New directive urges routine HIV testing

    JOHANNESBURG

    People seeking treatment from public and private health institutions in Botswana could in future be expected to undergo routine testing for HIV/AIDS.

    The country's National AIDS Co-ordinating Agency (NACA) said the new directive not only encouraged more HIV testing, but also aimed to assist health workers in bringing infection rates under control.

    Research shows that more than 38 percent of adults aged between 15 and 49 in Botswana are living with HIV/AIDS.

    According to the Pan African News Agency (PANA), NACA said that while test results would be handled with strict confidence, patients still reserved the right to refuse to be tested.

    Further guidelines on the directive would be drawn up and presented to the relevant authorities for approval.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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