22 Sep 2015

The District AIDS Coordinating Office in Bobonong, in partnership with the men sector, has embarked on a journey to sensitise people about the rate at which HIV/AIDS infection, teenage pregnancy as well as usage of drugs and alcohol was impacting the area.        

Giving an overview about the district at the workshop held in Damochujenaa recently, the District AIDS coordinator for Bobonong, Mr Kabo Kgwaraga said the area was now regarded as an economic hub due to a number of projects taking place.     

Mr Kgwaraga said the construction of Bobonong internal roads, the construction of a water purification plant, the construction of the Platjan Bridge as well as the construction of the Thune irrigation system were  some of the ongoing projects that had attracted people from different areas to seek employment. 

He said although the developments were good, they might also have a negative factor in the district.  

He said Bobirwa was second to Selibe Phikwe with HIV infection rates. Mr Kgwaraga said the planned developments might increase HIV infections as well as teenage pregnancy.       

He said a lot of students from Matshekge Senior Secondary School and junior and primary schools in the area have dropped out of school due to pregnancy.          

Mr Kgwaraga also said drug and alcohol abuse among pupils and students was rampant. He said they were  concerned by the number of school dropouts and the failure of students as a result of using drugs and alcohol.       

He noted that some youth indulge in criminal activities under the influence of drugs and alcohol.       

For her part, the Assistant District AIDS coordinator, Ms Khutsafalo Nfila said it was disheartening to see the vision of having zero new infection by 2016 disappear. She encouraged mothers to use programmes such as the Prevention of Mother to Children Transmition (PMTCT). Ends