02 Mar 2020

In an endeavor to increase HIV prevention, couple testing is highly promoted, assistant District Aids Coordinator Ms Gosiame Thokwane said on Friday during a couple testing dinner event.

She said the district was concerned that few men in the district continue to test, and as such couple testing was an initiative was muted to offer men an opportunity to test with their partners.

She stated that the couple testing event encouraged positive health seeking behaviors by men and it afforded couples opportunity to mutually disclose their status in an environment where support was provided by a counselor.

Ms Thokwane said it was an opportunity for discussing and deciding upon prevention, treatment and support options based on the outcome of the test results.

She indicated that for discordant couples early Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) initiation for the HIV positive partner may was crucial as it may lower transmission rate of HIV to the negative partner.

Couples, she said must always discuss issues around their relationships and how they could impact on their health and afforded themselves an opportunity to plan together for the future.

A mid-wife nurse at Letlhakane clinic Ms Irene Nyatanga stated that in a move to promote testing, they ensures that all testing resources were always available. She indicated that 2019/2020 statistics revealed that 1 181 males tested and 2 160 females tested for HIV, an indicated of more female testing than males.

She stated that there were 3 209 males and 6 233 females enrolled on Anti-Retroviral Treatment in Boteti.

For death whilst on ART was six males and five female, with six in Orapa, three Rakops and two in Letlhakane.

Tebelopele testing centre representative Ms Kutlwano Morakile said it was crucial for couples to know how to protect and live with each other.

She said government to date was committed fight against HIV/AIDS to save lives.

ENDS