12 May 2019

The Treat All programme, which intends to prevent opportunistic infections through early treatment of HIV positive people, have been hailed for saving lives.

The programme is a collaborative initiative between the government of Botswana and the United States of America.

The US embassy has since started a countrywide tour to spread the message through a film screening, which features HIV positive peoples’ stories.

The intention is for the viewers to share the message with their families and friends, hence reaching many communities.

Jwaneng resident, Ms Grace Raphuti underscored the need for people to know their status so that those who were HIV positive could utilise the new programme.

She said this was a welcome development since people did not have to wait for a weaker immune system before they enroll for treatment.

“This is an opportunity for people to take their health serious and you can only do that if you know your HIV status.

This was not the case with some of us when we tested about 29 years ago, but I encourage you to be open about your health, especially to your partners.

As some of the first Batswana to enroll for ARV treatment, we have sacrificed to sensitise others through our experiences,” she said.

Furthermore, she urged HIV positive people to adhere to treatment so that they could lead healthy lives and prevent infections.

She said self-acceptance was the first step that could pave way for leading a normal life.

Another activist Mr Edwin Motse said even though discovering that one is HIV positive could be difficult in the beginning, there was need to take good care of oneself.

He said being HIV positive did not mean the end of dreams and aspirations, as ARV treatment was there to boost the immune system.

Additionally, he urged people to refrain from entertaining myths surrounding HIV, but instead follow all the advice given by health professionals.

“Let’s stop associating HIV with witchcraft because there is nothing like that.

The Treat All programme is here to help people before they even have signs of any infections, and I therefore urged you to go and test,” he said.

He encouraged HIV positive people to adhere to approved treatment by the government and avoid being deceived by unfounded products circulating in the market.

He said the government had over the years invested a lot of money on HIV treatment and therefore people should not be deceived by empty promises that could delay their progress.

He also called on couples to visit health facilities to learn more about the virus, especially when planning to have children. He emphasised the need for children to be planned for so that if HIV positive, the mother could be enrolled for PMTCT to protect the unborn child.

Jwaneng mayor Mr Obed Monkge applauded the US embassy for such an informative film and providing an interactive platform to engage members of the community.

He also encouraged Jwaneng residents to test for HIV on regular basis so that they could be given treatment early to prolong their lives. ENDS