06 Aug 2013

The United States government through the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has stopped funding Botswana’s Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) programme.

Addressing residents of Khuduyamajako in Letlhakeng East recently, the Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said this was due to the unwillingness of men to be circumcised. He pointed out that government planned to have circumcised thousands of men by the end of this year and was concerned about the low turnout they had experienced since the inception of the programme.

“At least during the school vacation, almost 4 000 school going boys were circumcised,” he noted. On other issues, Mr Matlhabaphiri expressed concern about the growing number of defaulters enrolled on the ARV programme. He was also worried that such patients did not follow doctor’s instructions on how to take their medication.

On developments at Scottish Livingston Hospital, he told residents that the eye clinic, which offered specialist and general eye services, had been transferred from Gaborone to Molepolole. He explained that the transfer was a result of prolonged waiting periods and congestion at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone.

The service would be accessed by patients in Molepolole and surrounding areas, he said. On other new developments, Mr Matlhabaphiri said plans were underway to increase the number of specialist doctors such as gynaecologists, paediatricians and surgeons, among others.

Meanwhile, the assistant minister commended Botswelakoko Clinic staff for having made a deliberate effort to take services to the people. The clinic paid scheduled visits to Khudoyamajako to attend to children and the elderly. The minister also informed residents that there will be routine testing during the next visit. ENDS