17 Jun 2019

The UNAIDS director, Ms Gunilla Carlsson, says she has drawn inspiration from the Communities Acting Together to Combat HIV (CATCH) model, which addresses community challenges such as HIV/AIDS.

Ms Carlsson attested to this at Ramotswa kgotla recently, saying it  was  inspirational to see the impact that CATCH model had brought among the communities.

“This is what we need, communities working together to drive developments,” Ms Carlsson said.

She further underscored the importance of a healthy community saying those vulnerable should be assisted to reach treatment and move on with life. “We are grateful for the CATCH model, and it is a testament that good things can happen here in Botswana” she added.Balete paramount chief,, Kgosi Mosadi said the model brought hope to the community, more so that it engaged tribal leaders.

She said the model structure included the tribal leadership as well as headmen in various wards saying it had impact because it also aimed at fighting community ills and non-communicable diseases.

Although HIV/AIDS was still a problem, she said non-communicable diseases were more pervasive and deadly, hence the model being used to campaign for  healthy way of living that entailed reducing too much salt in diet, regular exercises and avoiding stress.

She stated that in the Chobe area, the model was adopted and used to fight malaria, hence more intensified efforts to fight non communicable diseases.

 “It is a good model that we can use to fight various social ill,” Kgosi Mosadi said.
 

A community member from Tlokweng, Ms Morwadi Podile said the model, which was introduced to them by Humana People to People Botswana, had worked wonders for the community.

She said through the involvement of tribal leaders, the community had keen interest in the model, therefore many had tested for HIV/AIDS and enrolled for treatment and subsequently killing stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. ENDS