05 Dec 2021

Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme (BOCAIP) has helped transform the lives of communities and in the process, assisted the country achieve epidemic control.

An estimated 800 000 people have been reached through the organisation’s health and social interventions over the past 25 years.

These remarks were made by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane remarked at the NGO’s silver jubilee celebrations in Gaborone Friday.

He attributed the milestone to investment in building technical programming capacity, strategic information management, human resources, governance, finance, strategic foresight and perseverance.

Mr Tsogwane said the NGO’s track record had facilitated its partnership with government in the delivery of instrumental health services including community TB care, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, alcohol and substance abuse, HIV testing and prevention as well as COVID-19 prevention.

He said BOCAIP had also partnered with government to implement the PEPFAR-funded projects of HIV prevention, care and treatment in the past 15 years.

Mr Tsogwane said it was a rare achievement for a local NGO to achieve 25 years of progressive existence in the current funding climate.

“As we all know, 10 years ago Botswana transitioned into a middle-income status, which affected funding levels for local NGOs,” he stated.

He said every nation needed a strong and accountable civil society adding that NGOs were instrumental in supporting government to achieve excellence in public sector performance.

“This is because they often critically observe government policies, inspect decision making procedures, the choice and implementation of policies, demand accountability for investment of funds, progress and outcome of their implementation,” he said.

BOCAIP chief executive officer, Ms Lorato Mphusu said the NGO was established in reponse to the then president’s call for all sectors to actively support government in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“There was need to have a multi-sectoral response to HIV challenge. The pastors responded and formed Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme,” she said.

Ms Mphusu said the organisation existed to support government’s efforts to reach its national development pillar of social and human development.

BOCAIP currently offers free health services to people living with HIV.

The silver jubilee was held alongside the organisation’s annual general meeting.BOPA