08 Sep 2020

The president of Botswana Faith Based Network on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (BOFABONETHA), Reverend Mpho Moruakgomo has called on churches to play their part in these challenging times.

Speaking at the launch of the month of prayer at Moshupa Main Kgotla recently, Rev Moruakgomo said church associations had in collaboration, solidarity and in faith, come on board to assist government in the fight against COVID-19.

He said the move to assist dates back to 1996, following the then President’s call, when the country was battling HIV/AIDS.

He assured the village leadership that BOFABONETHA had taken the decision to lead in combating corona virus and HIV/AIDS, which he said was inspired by their conviction around human dignity and their hope in the only God whom they all serve.

Rev Moruakgomo reaffirmed the association’s commitment towards playing a leading role in prayers against the coronavirus, HIV/AIDS and Gender Based Violence.

He advised that as churches converge for their services, they needed to be cognizant of the COVID-19 health protocols.

“Observing social distancing and managing our numbers in gatherings as we pray does not make us less of a church, but more of the church,” he said.

He said BOFABONETHA was concerned about the rate at which men were testing for HIV/AIDS, lamenting that records indicated that a considerable number of men had not tested, therefore were not aware of their status.

“Men are consistently less likely to be diagnosed with HIV as demographic studies show that men are less likely to take an HIV test,” he said.

Rev Moruakgomo said there was need for healthcare services that are targeted at encouraging  men to test, suggesting that door to door testing campaigns be conducted in villages, to sensitise men and the boychild and improve their attitude towards  healthcare and HIV.

He noted that unlike men, 94 per cent of women were aware of their HIV status, with around 95 per cent of those who tested positive on anti-retroviral treatment.

Kgosi Oscar Mosielele thanked the association for its commitment and pledges of support.

“As leaders of our communities we are socially obliged to care and stand on behalf of our people. We are called to serve not to be praised,” he said.

He assured them that, he would further share the message with ward headmen so that they could further relay it to their respective wards.

BOFANETHA consists of different religious associations such as Organisation of African Instituted Churches, Botswana Muslim Association, Bahai Faith Community, Botswana Council of Churches, Botswana Hindu Society, Seventh Day Adventist, Scripture Union and Zion Christian Church. ENDS