08 Sep 2016

The Southern District AIDS coordinator Ms Basadibotlhe Lebogang says  the launch of month of prayer country wide was a demonstration of government’s zeal to fight against HIV/AIDS in the face of overwhelming challenges, through the power of prayer.

The Botswana police Service launched the month of prayer in Kanye at Ngwaketse Main Land Board yesterday The theme of this year is Our Health, Our Responsibility, United in Ending New Infections.  

 Ms Lebogang noted that the country was faced with formidable challenge of human behaviour towards tackling the HIV/AIDS scourge.

She said people tend to indulge in lifestyle behaviour, alcohol and drug abuse and multiple concurrent partnerships, unprotected sex that pre-dispose human beings to infection.

She said individual responsibility and self-discipline should  come first in the midst of collective efforts of fighting HIV, which she said entailed precaution to avoid infection and living a healthy lifestyle.

Ms Lebogang noted that even though Botswana is still amongst the countries with high prevalence of HIV, coming second after Swaziland, there are success stories in terms of innovations for HIV/ADS in Southern District .

Ms Lebogang stated that gone were the days when HIV and AIDS were rampant. Since 1996, Batswana have without failure continued to turn to the Lord almighty in prayer and supplication every year during the same month.

She further said the challenges are stigma and discrimination, multi-partners, gender base violence, sexual workers involvement falling in love with elders and teenage pregnancy.

She also said Batswana collected condoms in large numbers but the affections still increase because some do not know how to use them while others leave using them after sometime in love. 

Rev. Mokgwetwa Marumo from Ministers Fraternal said the HIV prevention is still a serious challenge to individuals, families, societies and the government as “we still notice new infections each year, particularly among young people and females.”

Mr Marumo noted that month of prayer was a time when individuals, families and communities got together to seek the face of God.

 He said the church was expected to play a leading role in the fight against HIV because it had more authority to direct the nation towards healthy living and achievement of good moral behaviour.

He said those who spread the virus intentionally should be arrested and jailed or brought before the courts of law.

 He encouraged wives to stick to their husbands as well as husbands. He applauded  government for the initiatives to distribute HIV/AIDS treatment . He said   government spend a lot of money buying medicine which is given for free.

Meanwhile, deputy district officer Ms Motlhatlhogi Tshoganetso commended the leaders and national structures of the church and faith -based organisations for facilitating the activities of the Month of prayer in the different villages over the years. 

However, Ms Tshoganesto said people need to change behavior and turn to God. She commended the police for launching the month.

She said everyone is being affected and encourages people not to be ashamed to know their status, adding that police play an important role. 

She said there is no cure for HIV as yet and “we also know that with good and continued adherence to antiretroviral treatment, people living with HIV can remain well and productive for a long time.”

Police have programmes in place to fight against the scourge which are prayers every Saturday and Sunday in different churches. Officer in-charge district no 14 Senior Superintendent Rouben Mphoeng advised people to obey God’s law. Ends