29 Oct 2013

The South East South MP, Mr Odirile Motlhale says behavioural change remains a big challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

He expressed his view during the South East District health fair on October 28 in Ramotswa. Mr Motlhale said people indulged in activities that exposed them to HIV/AIDS infections.

He said people should take responsibility to protect themselves and others from contracting HIV/AIDS by taking all the necessary precautions. The MP explained that programmes such of safe male circumcision, condom distribution and accessibility as well as encouraging HIV/AIDS testing among youth and couples could help prevent new infections.

For his part, the District Health Management Team (DHMT) coordinator for South East District, Dr Ally Nanjenu said they were implementing programmes aimed at reducing the rate of HIV infection. He said an intervention such as the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) was offered in all public clinics.

“The provision of ARVs in the district is going well, with all the public facilities offering the service,” Dr Nanjenu said. However, he noted that in some instances, late testing for HIV/AIDS by pregnant women and late enrolment on ARVs compromised the outcome of the treatment.

On other issues, he pointed out that the district had experienced a slight decrease on Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs) cases in 2012. Furthermore, he highlighted that virginal discharge syndrome continued to account for the highest in STI cases reported, taking 47 per cent of all the STIs.

He also said change of behavior was necessary in the fight against HIV and AIDS as this could help in the realisation of the Vision 2016 aspirations. The district's health fair was organised as a curtain raiser event towards building momentum for this year’s to build momentum for this year’s World AIDS day commemorations, which will be held in Ramotswa. ENDS