22 Oct 2013

Voluntary counseling and testing should be emphasised as much as voluntary disclosure of status, especially to those closest to the person infected.

Speaking at a Mr Maun Centre of Excellence beauty pageant organised by Botswana Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (BONEPWA), the Deputy Director of Thuso Rehabilitation Centre, Mr Dickinson Samaemo, said voluntary disclosure to family members had many advantages.

“For starters, family members can learn how to handle themselves before the infected person and also what to expect at the earliest possible time,” he said. He indicated that by so doing, secondary infections or complications such as re-infections and revenge focused sexual practices would be prevented.

Mr Samaemo said it was worth mentioning that acceptance of the status by the infected person, family members and even the community at large played an important role in adherence.

“The sooner we all accept it the better we shall be prepared to face it with all the weapons at hand,” he said. He further said people should remind themselves of one of the Vision 2016 pillars of being a compassionate, just and caring nation because it enhanced unity, self-reliance, development and many other positive benefits.

Mr Samaemo indicated that Botswana was still struggling with stigma and discrimination towards HIV and those associated with it. “Stigma thrives on power relations and builds upon and reinforces existing social inequalities and prejudices. It occurs at different levels and in a variety of settings such as between two people, at home, at work, media, legal institutions just to mention a few,” he said.

Mr Samaemo further said Botswana also has to grapple with bad behavior and negative attitudes. With the theme of the beauty pageant titled “Male involvement in fighting HIV and AIDS,” Mr Samaemo said the event presented participants with an opportunity to raise awareness of people’s understanding and taking appropriate action towards eliminating those barriers associated with HIV and AIDS.

“This is also an opportunity for us to commemorate the lives we have lost so far to the disease,” he said. Kempho Retiyo, Gotlaone Seguma and Goitseone Bogoma took positions one, two and three respectively. ENDS