27 Mar 2017

United States of America (USA) Ambassador, Mr Earl Miller has underscored the importance of intensified and targeted services for key populations.
Speaking at a New Directions in Global Health seminar in Maun, Ambassador Miller said interventions on key populations; same sex people and sex workers were crucial since they had impact on HIV/AIDS infections and treatment.
He noted that statistics show that HIV prevalence in female sex workers was six per cent compared to 20.8 per cent of women in general.
“In 2016, Botswana Incidence Pattern Model reported that female sex workers contribute eight per cent  of all new HIV infections while only 13 per cent  of HIV positive men who have sex with men have begun antiretroviral therapy, compared with 65 per cent treatment coverage for all HIV positive men,” he said.
Ambassador Miller therefore said a linkage to the key population groups was imperative to attain the UNAIDS global strategy to achieve HIV epidemic control known as the 90-90-90 to attain an HIV free generation.
“PEPFAR has been funding the Linkages project in Maun and its catchment areas in order to strengthen local capacity to deliver health services to female sex workers and men who have sex with men,” he said.
Ambassador Miller said the project was also operating in Kasane, Selebi-Phikwe, Francistown, and Gaborone.
He added that Linkages was part of a regional network of PEPFAR partners serving key populations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and others throughout Southern and East Africa.
In his remarks, the North West assistant district commissioner, Mr Ramogaupi Gaborekwe encouraged the Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) to engage the communities on issues of sexuality, gender and human rights.
“We are aware of issues of culture against bi-sexuals, transsexuals and other key populations,” he said.
Ngami DHMT head, Dr Malebogo Pusoentsi said the wetlands terrain and language barrier negatively affected their service to key population groups in some parts of the district. Dr Pusoentsi also said the Ngami District was a holiday resort, therefore dynamics on HIV/AIDS were experienced there. ENDS