23 Oct 2013

National AIDS Coordinating Agency’s (NACA) efforts of eliminating new HIV infections are being thwarted by people who fail to change their sexual behaviour.

Speaking at a media briefing, NACA’s national coordinator, Mr Richard Matlhare emphasised the need for people to change their sexual behaviour noting that there was still hope of getting zero new HIV infections by 2016.

Mr Matlhare said Botswana recorded a decline of 71 per cent in HIV incidence between 2001 and 2011. Botswana, he said, was among the top 26 countries where new HIV infections declined by more than 50 per cent between 2001 and 2012.

“The number of new HIV infections continues to decline as we await results of the fourth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey,” he said. The national coordinator was also hopeful that the results of BAIS IV will indicate increased knowledge regarding the prevention of HIV transmission among young people and increased condom use amongst people with multiple sexual partners.

The BAIS IV was also expected to indicate decreased proportion of 15-24 year olds who have had sex before reaching the age of 15 years and increased proportion of young people who received an HIV test and learned their results. Meanwhile, preparations for the World AIDS Day 2013 commemoration which will be held in Ramotswa in December 2 are underway.

A team in South East District led by the district commissioner is coordinating World AIDS Day 2013 build-up activities such as essay writing on October 31, opened for primary, secondary and senior schools in the district.  

On October 26, there will be a health fair launch in Ramotswa by all service providers such as Safe Male Circumcision (SMC), Cancer Association, men sector national and blood donation among others.

Church leaders and Dingaka Association will hold a panel discussion at Botswana Police College on November 2, while the Health and Wellness for Disability group will be on November 9, where service providers will disseminate information on disability. 

here will be a roadshow or edutainment in Tlokweng on November 16, choir competitions in Mogobane in November 23 and a soccer tournament on November 30 in Ramotswa to mobilize men for SMC. ENDS