12 Jun 2018

For many years, HIV and AIDS related matters have been working against the tide of national economic prosperity, hence government’s decision to fight the scourge with all its might as it was now a national crisis.

Speaking during the candlelight memorial to commemorate all the lives lost to the scourge at Tsetseng on Friday, the Letlhakeng Sub -district Council chairperson, Cllr Tlotlo Batlhophi indicated that was the reason the Ministry of Health and Wellness was one of those normally allocated more funds over the years during the national budget allocation.

Cllr Batlhophi also applauded the establishment of non-governmental organisations such as ACHAP and BOCAIP, as he said their contribution in complementing government efforts in spearing the message on the dangers of HIV and AIDS had been invaluable.

Cllr Batlhophi however, said it was a pity that despite all those efforts over the years, some people, especially the youth, still take the assistance for granted to the extent that they abuse medication such as ARVs.

“We have heard of instances where the youth mix ARVs with other substances to make drugs, and some are even said to cross borders and sell the ARVs in the black market. Such behaviour should be condemned because it is working against all the effort government and NGOs are making,” he said.

Cllr Batlhophi called for such people to introspect and make a commitment to assist government in closing all the loopholes that help HIV and AIDS to thrive.

He also pleaded with the village leadership, such as dikgosi, church leaders and politicians to help address the reluctance of men, whom research has indicated still lag behind in HIV and AIDS related matters.

He said in this era, there should be no more room for secrecy. Giving the objectives of the event, the assistant district AIDS coordinator, Ms Keodiretse Seretse said the day started way back in 1983 as an effort by government to spread awareness on the scourge.

Ms Seretse also indicated that research indicated that men were still lagging behind on HIV and AIDS related matters such as testing and enrolling for ARVs.

“Our statistics usually show that there are fewer men than women on HIV enrolment, home based care programmes and others but this does not mean that men are less affected than women. It is only because men are still very reluctant to test and get involved,” she said.

Ms Seretse also raised a concern over the low condom usage in the district, saying that from January to March this year, 440 cases of sexually transmitted diseases were recorded, which indicates low condom usage.

“In the same period, we also recorded 63 cases of teenage pregnancies, which also implied low condom usage. We have also lost to trace 70 people who are on ARVs. All these are a reversal of government efforts towards an

HIV and AIDS free nation,” she said.

Ms Seretse pleaded with residents to embrace all initiatives towards fighting HIV and AIDS, such as condom use and safe male circumcision (smc).

At the moment, SMC is only boosted by students who are not much involved in sexual activities while the elderly and active men are still reluctant to take part, she said.A person living with HIV and AIDS, Ms Gosekwang Balofi also encouraged those who tested positive to accept themselves as soon as possible, saying that that would go a long way in helping them reclaim their normal lives.

She said that in her 15 years living with the disease, she had seen many people who got infected way after her perishing just because they did not religiously take their medication, something she said was caused by being in denial and ashamed by their status.

Ms Balofi said that accepting her status had helped her give birth to an HIV negative daughter, as she openly enrolled in PMTCT, and that she is also enjoying government programmes such as LIMD just like any other Motswana.

The day was commemorated under the theme; Reflecting on Our Past, Preparing For The Future. ENDS