25 Oct 2017

The Palliative Based Care Coordinator, at the Department of Health Management Team in Serowe, Ms Thapiso Chamme says government was concerned about the rate of HIV infections.

She said even now there were still many reported cases new infections of people testing HIV positive.

Ms Chamme said this at the annual Community Home Based Care (CHBC) workshop which was held recently.

“Government should be focusing on assisting those who have previously infected, as there are more teachings, and preventative methods on this issue. But we are still witnessing new infections” she said.

Ms Chamme said there was a high prevalence of HIV, Cancer, Tubercolosis infections and non-communicable diseases.

“There is a high number of people living with HIV Aids, who need support to prevent infection and transmission to their partners,” she said.

She however noted that there was still inadequate management of care with pain and other symptoms management, as a result of lack of palliative care skills.

She said although efforts were made by some to care for the sick, they were still faced with challenges of keeping caretakers in to the programme.

“There is need to motivate and insure retentions of volunteers in to the programme. Currently we are in the process of attracting youth and it is not easy,” she said.

She said some of their strategies included promotion of adherence to tuberculosis, prevention of mother to child therapy (PMTCT) and Anti-retroviral Virus.

“We are customer oriented. Our customers are patients with chronic life limiting and terminally ill patients including HIV/AIDS patients. We are committed to provide comfort to individuals and families living with life-threatening illness including HIV/AIDS patients,” she said.

Further, she said there were no hospices and home based care units available in the northern part of Botswana and encouraged the volunteers to benchmark and establish them.

In her welcome remarks, Ms Rachel Zibane said the purpose of the workshop was to orientate stakeholders on the palliative care and home based care programme.

She pleaded with the participant to network and support each in the challenges that they face as caretakers.

She further said the workshop was crucial as it was meant to sensitise them on services provided by different government departments, and non-governmental organisations, therefore equipping them with the knowledge of where they could find assistance. ENDS