25 Aug 2013

ABM University College is committed to assisting the government to achieve its goals, says the campus manager, Mr James Onduso.

Speaking at the launch of the Correct and Consistent Condom and HIV testing campaign in Francistown on August 22, Mr Onduso said ABM wanted to assist government deal with social ills such as HIV and AIDS and drug abuse.

Mr Onduso said supporting the government would ensure the realisation of a healthy nation as enshrined in Vision 2016.

The Tertiary Education Council (TEC) campus health coordinator, Ms Oteng Kebitseope noted that the government of Botswana was one of the first to provide free health services including Anti Retrovirals (ARVs).

She lamented that since 1985 when the first case of HIV was recorded, the government came up with many programmes but behavioural change still lagged behind.

“We as citizens must appreciate that the government has done its part and what is left is behavioural change, which is entirely in our hands,” she said.

Ms Kebitseope said during a study that was carried out among the tertiary students, there were frightening revelations. 

Some of the issues raised, she noted, were that after three months in a relationship, students refrain from condomising as they believe they trust each other.

She encouraged students who cannot abstain to ensure they use condoms correctly and consistently and to test for HIV every year.

The executive director of ABM University College, Ms Daisy Molefhi commended TEC for its efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Abstinence is the safest way because it only affects an individual and encouraged students to pursue their careers first before bringing in a second person, she said.

Ms Molefhi reiterated Mr Onduso’s assurance that ABM was determined to raise an HIV and AIDS free generation.

“A better future means giving up all pleasures and making sure first things are first,” she stressed, adding that education without morals was worthless.

A peer educator, Mr Knowledge Puso encouraged partners to support each other, seek medical help and counselling together. He also informed his peers that change begins with them.

The theme of the launch was ‘It’s all in your hands, gear up against HIV/AIDS, get protected, get tested.’  ENDS