16 Jun 2019

HIV/AIDS has continued to be a burden to the nation, despite Botswana having been at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic.

Speaking at a press conference in Gaborone on June 14, First Lady Neo Masisi said it was critical to intensify efforts to address factors hampering the success of strategies aimed at combating HIV/AIDS.

First Lady, who was unveiled as the UNAIDS special ambassador for youth empowerment, called for continued efforts to encourage and promote behavioural change in the society. She said it was sad that despite past efforts, issues of adolescents having early sexual debuts, teenage pregnancy, multiple concurrent partnerships and inter-generational sex continued to set back efforts to win the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge.

UNAIDS acting executive director Ms Gunilla Carlsson, said having championed the course against the pandemic, Botswana had a key role to play in global efforts to end HIV/AIDS.

She, however, noted that it was sad that complacency had since set in, thus setting back the progress that had already been made. 

She thus appealed to nation to revive its campaign against the epidemic, and in the process ensure that no one got left behind.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Alfred Madigele said HIV/AIDS was a long standing concern and would not be over soon hence it was necessary for Botswana and the rest of the world to re-energise and re-invigorate efforts to defeat it. He said NCDs were an emerging threat that added on to the burden that HIV/AIDS had placed on the nation, thus it was vital that strategy on NCDs be implemented among others through putting to use lessons drawn from the war on HIV/AIDS.

Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Minister Mr Nonofo Molefhi said one of the necessary things regarding the fight against NCDs was active participation of the private sector as businesses profiteered from people’s lifestyles.

Mr Molefhi said because of this, it was crucial for the private sector to play a significant role in addressing the issue of NCDs. ENDS