25 May 2021

Lobatse MP, Dr Thapelo Matsheka says International AIDS Candle Light Memorial provides an opportunity for the nation to introspect on strides being made in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Speaking during a commemorative event in Lobatse on Sunday, Dr Matsheka who is also minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, urged the society to reflect on their efforts in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.

He said everyone has a role to play in ensuring the attainment of the World Health Organization (WHO) milestone of ending the spread of HIV/AIDS by the year 2030. 

He also cautioned against stigmatisation of people living with the virus, saying they required support from the society.

“We should unite against the virus and support each other and realise the challenges faced by people affected by HIV. We should also reflect on what we have been doing to support those affected in our communities since the first case of HIV was reported in Botswana in 1985,” said the minister.

The day was commemorated under the theme: We remember, We take action, We live beyond HIV. 

Annual commemoration activities have been held world-wide on the third Sunday of May since 1983. Botswana however started commemorating it in 2008.

Lobatse District AIDS coordinator, Mr Letlhogela Malebye said programmes against HIV in the district were working effectively. 

He said in the 2020/21 financial year, a total of 4 201 people tested for HIV in the district and 149 tested positive. He said 146 of those who tested positive got enrolled into the Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) treatment through the Treat All Programme.

“We are engaging with the other three about the importance of early enrollment into the ARV treatment,” he said.

Mr Malebye said a total of 5 934 people were actively on ARV treatment in Lobatse and 99.6 per cent of them had undetectable viral load.

He added that the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) programme was also effective, since the district had registered no case of transmission of the virus from mother to child in the past two years. 

He said 170 positive women gave birth in the district last year without transmitting the virus to their new born babies.  

Mr Malebye however said the high incident rate of teenage pregnancy in the district was a concern. He said there were 89 cases of teenage pregnancies last year in the district, including in some cases girls as young as 15 years old.

“This shows that there is sexual defilement and unprotected sex among young girls in the district which exposes them to HIV,” he said.

He further said the high number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) was an indication that many people practiced unsafe sex. 

He said 2 357 cases of STIs were registered in the district last year.

Peleng Customary Court president, Ms Tshegofatso Setumo encouraged people to test for HIV. 

She further encouraged those who tested positive to the virus to follow health instructions and take good care of themselves. Ends