21 Mar 2018

Principal nursing officer at the Serowe District Health Management Team, Ms Gorata Ontumetse, has encouraged women to use female condoms.

Ms Ontumetse was addressing women at the female condom campaign, which was organised by Bothakga Community Strengthening Team at Thataganyane Village Development Community catchment Area.

“There is need for women to begin using female condoms as this will help in the realisation of a healthy nation by 2023,” she said.

She indicated that the move was also in line with Vision 2036, which advocates for achieving prosperity for all, adding that, this meant that women must have the vision and take responsibility of their own health.

“We have set out to educate the nation so that they are better informed to take responsibility of their own health,” she said.

Ms Ontumetse said it was under such ideals that the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP) partnered with the ministry of health to educate people about health and wellness.

She noted that the ministry was deeply worried that resources were available, but were not utilised, while some services were completely underutilised.

“The use of female condoms is dismally low, as a result the rate of HIV infections and sexually transmitted diseases continues to rise,” she said. 

She said transmission of HIV from mother to child, unplanned and teenage pregnancies as well as septic abortions were some of the challenges bedevilling the nation, which could be solved through condom use.

“Statistics indicate that from June to December 2017, there were 1 231 women who were tested, 830 of which were given results, with 43 being HIV positive.

“From a total of 468 children born by HIV positive mothers, 364 were tested and received results. 

Three babies received PMTCT treatment. 

She added that out of the 188 partners who tested for HIV, 62 were HIV positive.

“We tested 7 991 clients for HIV. 

Out of the total, 351 tested positive,” she said. 

Ms Ontumetse further indicated that they treated 3 211 patients for sexual transmitted diseases. 

“Of the 374 925 male condoms in stock, we distributed 217 122, which makes 57.9 per cent,” she said.

With regard to female condoms, she pointed out that they had 22 178 in stock and distributed 4 786, which made only 21.6 per cent.

“Women should take charge and be in control of issues relating to their sexual relations with their partners as they  are the ones mostly affected as they perform abortions, which puts them in danger of losing their lives,” she said.

She further noted that women were susceptible of being abandoned and left to care for the babies on their own, thus affecting their economic life and welfare.

When presenting on the objective of the day, ACHAP community system strengthening coordinator, Ms Mary Letwaba said the event was meant to strengthen community systems for effective and efficient planning, implementation monitoring and taking ownership.

She also noted that their plan was to build community-driven structures with capacity to facilitate an enabling environment in collaboration with other stakeholders such as BOCAIP, BONELA, Tebelopele Counselling and Testing Centre, DHMT and MYSC who were also present to bring services to the community.

“Our goal is to develop the roles of the key affected populations and communities in design, monitoring and evaluation of services, and activities on Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS,” she said. ENDS