01 Dec 2019

Government, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, is committed to ensuring good health for all by improving the quality of life for Batswana through improved quality and access of health services, hence the free accessibility of TB/HIV treatment to all patients in the country, including non-citizens.

That was said by Scripture Union Central director, Pastor Frank Baaitse at a youth fair/health fair activity by Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme (BOCAIP) in collaboration with ACHAP and other stakeholders recently.

Nonetheless, he said there was need for government to affirm its commitment to the global campaign in accelerated actions towards eliminating TB/HIV in societies, especially the youth.

The event was held to sensitise Botshabelo, Selebi Phikwe youth on issues of ending TB , HIV/AIDS, STIs and gender based violence through a targeted health campaign.

Pastor Baaitse indicated that the 2018 District Health Management Team (DHMT) programme reported that 15 100 people tested for HIV between April 2018 and March 2019 while 8 469 people (5 323 females and 3 146 males) were receiving anti-retroviral treatment.

He said the district was also concerned about people who defaulted from treatment, saying that can lead to drug resistance in future.

Also, he said new HIV infections among young people, especially girls and young women was a major challenge, adding the district had also experienced an increase in the number of STI cases, especially among men.

However, he indicated that despite the statistics, prevention from mother to child transmission (PMTCT) rate of HIV was doing well, alluding to the fact that only four babies had tested positive.

Further, he indicated Pastor Baaitse said the district was also concerned about the alarming number of teenage pregnancy, which could also lead to contracting STIs.

On Tuberculosis, he indicated that a total of 64 new cases were reported in 2018.

However, he appreciated efforts by the health ministry for having procured sputum induction machines as way of improving TB diagnostics and availing GeneXpert/ultra-machines that make accurate diagnosis of TB over two hours.

BOCAIP programmes coordinator, Ms Kebitseope said said she was worried about some misconception some people had that HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Ends