03 Oct 2017

The Minister of Health and Wellness  Ms Dorcus Makgato  has commended the Christian community for  their dedication towards the September month of prayer.

Speaking during  the closing commemoration of the national month of prayer on Friday, Ms Makgato called on all to unite in ending new HIV/AIDS infections  and live out the theme beyond the month of prayer.

Minister Makgato further urged Batswana to change behaviour  and emphasised that it should start with individuals for the country to win the battle against HIV/AIDS and prevent new infections.

The minister said while it was their responsibility as health workers to give medical assistance  and counselling to Batswana, they also needed to take care of their own health and to take responsibility “because sometimes people counsel other people but fail to apply the same themselves.”

She encouraged all to always seek counselling to manage some of the social challenges they faced as individuals in the society.

Ms Makgato said one aspect of the commemoration was management of stress and impact of it if  it was not handled well.

“For this reason,as we commemorate this HIV/AIDS month of prayer, let us also pray for our country men and women who lost family members succumbed to stress and committed suicide and cancel the spirit of suicide amongst our people,’’she said. ENDS