25 Jan 2017

Residents of Palapye have responded positively to HIV/AIDS testing and counselling services offered by Tebelopele.

The 2016 District Multi Sectoral Aids Committee (DMSAC) fourth quarter report of Tebelopele showed that the people of Palapye and surrounding areas showed interest in testing and counselling for HIV/AIDS.

Mr Mosimanegape Thabeng, Palapye Tebelopele Centre coordinator, said in an interview that the major objective was HIV/AIDS prevention, which entailed providing voluntary counselling and testing.

From the month of October to December, Tebelopele was expecting about 1 221 clients and the actual numbers that came for testing and counselling was 1 979. Amongst the people who tested, only 123 people were HIV positive.

Tebelopele also recorded 90 couples who came for HIV testing.

On the aim of HIV prevention, the organisation planned to distribute 400 males and 200 females’ condoms to its clients, and about 7000 male condoms and 215 females were distributed.

During counselling and testing throughout the quarter, Tebelopele referred 120 of its clients for ARVs, five for PMTCT, 10 for SMC, 40 for TB screening and four for support services.

He said in October last year, females HIV testing was at 58.7 per cent as opposed to 41.3 per cent for males.

However, males HIV testing results increased in November 2016 to 53.25 per cent as opposed to 46.8 per cent for females.

This increase in male HIV testing was as a result of collaboration with men for Health and Gender Justice, who were doing mobilisation and referrals for men.

He said Tebelopele observed that new cases of HIV positive clients continue to be high in females as compared to their male counterparts in Palapye.

The report showed that there has been an achievement in voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) uptake having increased from 1704 to 1979 as compared to the last quarter.

Multi-sectoral collaboration with BIUST and men for Health and Gender Justice Organisation has been brought about good results, he said. He said Tebelopele conducted 14 outreaches in Palapye including community based HIV testing services during the day and moon light testing.

At least three mobile outreaches have been conducted outside Palapye, of which Mr Thabeng said showed improvement in Palapye Tebelopele centre. BOPA