29 Nov 2020

This year’s World AIDS Day Commemoration will be held at Mahalapye’s Cresta Hotel, under the theme: Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.

The day is commemorated annually in a different district with high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

National Aids and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA)’s principal information, education and communications officer, Mr Oageng Moseki indicated that this year’s commemoration was not focused only on HIV/AIDS but also on COVID-19 as per World Health Organisation (WHO)’s request. 

“This is due to the negative impact both diseases had on the world, for example, economic down turn and a lot of lost lives,” he added.

Mr Moseki said the theme showed that all the countries had to unite for the world to win the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“These diseases know no boundaries, for example, COVID-19 started in China but it has now affected the whole world,” he added.

In an effort to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, he highlighted that the event would be attended by 50 people as compared to previous events that pulled large crowds.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and the United Nations Resident coordinator, Mr Zia Choudhury will deliver their pre- recorded messages on the day and lighting of a candle of hope by First lady Ms Neo Masisi would as well be pre-recorded.

Unlike in the past where organisations would set up stalls to convey information on HIV/AIDS and services such as testing and blood donations being availed on the day, Mr Moseki said such would not be available this year.

He however, said that messages would still reach the nation since the event would be broadcast live on Botswana television and Radio Botswana.

Furthermore, M Moseki said there was a campaign running in Mahalapye that commenced November 1 and would end November 30 called, Build Up Campaign for World Aids day.

He said the campaign included community meetings, carrying out HIV testing, education on COVID-19, use of condoms and as well distribution of condoms.

At National level, he said there were panel discussions on radio and television as well as interactive sessions where the nation was allowed to phone in for contributions or questions.

Regarding prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country, Mr Moseki indicated that it was estimated that there were about 370 000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana, the most affected being the youth.

This he said was due to a number of factors such as being sexually active, peer pressure as well as alcohol and drug abuse.

He noted that women were the most affected compared to men due to issues such as poverty, unemployment, rape and prostitution.

“Most of the time these women would be trying to make ends meet and end up being infected,” he added.

Currently, he said children born with HIV in Botswana made up only one per cent.

He further said the 90-90-90 campaign was progressing well, and that 90 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status, 83 per cent were enrolled in treatment while viral suppression was at 73 per cent. ENDS