09 Sep 2018

The US Ambassador Mr Earl Miller says Botswana has made strides in the fight against HIV and AIDS but more is still needed to control the epidemic.

 Speaking during a Wellness Day event in Hatsalatladi recently, Mr Miller said 20 years ago, an HIV positive status was a death sentence, but the availability of anti-retroviral drugs had helped people live long healthy lives.

“Twenty years ago, funerals were held every weekend due to the pandemic and in 2000, the then President Mr Festus Mogae appealed to the international community for assistance as his people were perishing,” he said. Mr Miller said 100 000 people had succumbed to the disease. He said he was encouraged that 20 years later, there was no stigma and discrimination, hence people were able to accept their statuses and receive treatment.

“Back then, there was ignorance and shame, leading to HIV positive people to isolate themselves where they died as they did not access treatment,” he said. There was the concern, however, because 14 000 people get infected annually, and the US Ambassador said the only way the country could attain victory was through outreach to villages, encourage people to test and those positive to receive treatment. He also encouraged parents to talk to their children about sex and HIV and AIDS.  For his part, PEPFAR coordinator Mr Dan Graun-Selka said his organisation, started by former US President George W. Bush, had so far spent US$900 million in the fight against the epidemic.

He said this year they planned to use US$70 million towards ARVs, testing and counselling, safe male circumcision, taking care of orphans and cervical cancer.  He explained that they had partnered with the government and worked with community-based organisations and non-government organisations such as the District Health Management Teams (DHTM), BONEPWA and Thusang Bana.

Mr Graun-Selka said he was concerned that few men were involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS, adding, they hardly used health facilities.  He encouraged men to play a leading role, especially as heads of families adding the epidemic could be controlled if they were involved. ENDS