03 Mar 2022

Young people must be commended for their contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS, positive role, youth empowerment, sports and culture development, minister Mr Tumiso Rakgare said Tuesday when officiating at the launch of the Month of Youth Against AIDS (MYAA) in Serowe.

“Through educational storytelling, participation in preventive activities and programmes on behavioral change, you have significantly contributed to the country’s fight against HIV and AIDS,” he said, adding their efforts contributed to the country’s gains against HIV and AIDS.

Minister Rakgare said Botswana had registered 37 per cent decline in new HIV infections, adding 87.7 per cent of Batswana and residents eligible for treatment were enrolled in the ARV treatment.

Further, he said, Botswana had committed to expanding treatment to all citizens who were HIV positive regardless of their CD4 count.

“[But]The fight against HIV and AIDS is not yet over, and government remains at forefront through various policies, strategies and programmes to deliver on the goal of ending AIDS by 2030,” he said.

MYAA commemoration, themed, “End Inequalities, End AIDS, End Pandemic ’’ presented the youth with opportunity to pause and reflect on their contribution to the fight so as to identify weaknesses and strengths in their approach, he said.

He explained that MYAA was a national intervention programme designed to upscale HIV and AIDS intervention by raising awareness on sexual health and HIV prevention among young people.

Mr Rakgare regretted that the COVID-19 pandemic reduced youth access to HIV services, disrupted HIV testing and also led to defaulting in ART treatment, especially during lockdowns.

Nonetheless, he said, dedication and hard work of health workers, strong village leaderships and determined communities, combined to deliver impressive results in the fight against HIV and AIDS Mr Rakgare urged other concerned stakeholders to mobilise resources and join government in reinforcing strategies for the fight. Ends