13 Dec 2015

The United States Agency International Development (USAID) country representative, Mr Blake Chrystal, says government has committed more than P7 billion to Botswana in response to HIV.

He said together with the government of Botswana, civil society and people mostly affected by the epidemic have come a long way but their work is far from being done.

Mr Chrystal said the United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is his country’s global health initiative to assist countries in responding to the HIV epidemic. He said this recently at the New Directions in Global health: Sustainability and progress in achieving an AIDS- free generation two day seminar in Kasane.

The seminar is organised by an interagency team from the US government in partnership with Chobe District Multi Sectoral AIDS Committee and the Botswana Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA).

Mr Chrystal said PEPFAR aims to work hand in hand with Botswana to achieve epidemic control by 2018. He applauded the government’s initiative of giving the infected people access to treatment regardless of their CD4 count and further said Botswana has the right model in place to fight HIV and AIDS and will be one of the first countries to reach an epidemic control.

The acting director of PEPFAR, Mr Doug Johnson said the aim of the seminar is to expand public awareness of the continued response to HIV in Botswana and to other health concerns highlighting recent developments and successes and share of best practices.

He said this is all in response to HIV and underscores the need for evidence based planning in the targeted districts of Chobe, Ngamiland, Francistown, Ghanzi and Gaborone. Mr Johnson also said the US investment will assist Botswana to fill the HIV and AIDS epidemic gaps adding that the seminar will enable journalists who cover the field of health, to better inform their audiences on the local relevant issues and the response to HIV and other health concerns.

Dr John Makuka, the Chobe District public health specialist said 92 per cent  of people infected are in ARV treatment in Chobe as from 2014.

He said Chobe is one of the most affected districts in the country and further explained that out of the total 474 infants born by infected mothers, only 13 were HIV positive. Dr Makuka noted that the Chobe district geographical advantage and access to other countries fuels the spread of HIV and AIDS.

He highlighted that behavioral change is still a challenge in Chobe District and further explained that developments in the area such as the one in progress Kazungula bridge construction also have an impact on the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Dr Makuka also mentioned that they receive about 600-900 cases of Sexually Transmitted Illnesses in a quarter.

The National irector of MISA, Mr Buyani Zongwani said the seminar is a networking opportunity for journalists to establish cordial relationships with experts and also to equip them with the knowhow of reporting on HIV and AIDS and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Ends