27 Aug 2020

The Botswana Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (BONEPWA) has donated hygienic supplies to four support groups and organisations in response to COVID-19.

A total of 171 boxes of jik and 63 boxes of bathing soaps were handed over to support groups and organisations in greater Francistown who provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS.

The support groups have been formed to offer psychosocial support, raise awareness relating to the pandemics and empower people living with and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Speaking during the ceremony on Wednesday, the Coordinator of BONEPWA, Ms Precious Letsididi said that the hygienic supplies would help protect people living with HIVAIDS amidst COVID-19.

Ms Letsididi said that it had been the organization’s plan since the outbreak of the coronavirus to help the government in the fight against the virus hence the resolve to integrate issues of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.

She said since April, BONEPWA had provided people living with HIV/AIDS with information about COVID-19, distributed materials and raised awareness of issues relating to gender based violence.

Ms Letsididi mentioned as another milestone, her organization’s advocacy for increased drug supplies for people living with HIV/AIDS in view of movement restrictions due to COVID-19.

Furthermore, she said that BONEPWA was also working alongside two clinics in Francistown, support groups and organizations to offer community care by making sure those that took medication did so and went for check-ups without interruption.

The Coordinator of Light and Courage Centre Trust, Ms Seipei Habangana, whose organisation was among the donations recipients appreciated the gifts, saying they would go a long way at augmenting her centres resources.

“We have been having a problem of lack of resources and since the outbreak of COVID-19 things got worse as we did not have sponsors and donors to help us assist our patients. 

However, these donations come at the right moment and will make a difference,” she added.

She said the centre, formed in 2001 and one of the oldest support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS took care of home-based care patients.

Currently the Centre was taking care of twelve (12) patients and assisted them with food hampers.

Assistant AIDS District Coordinator, Mr Obusitswe Pitlagano applauded BONEPWA for integrating their services by not only focusing on HIV/AIDS matters but also raising awareness about COVID-19.

He said that it was important that various players joined efforts in the fight against coronavirus.

Mr Pitlagano urged recipients of the donations to use the donations wisely and promote good health. ends