01 Dec 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has called for active participation by communities in the fight to address inequalities and end AIDS by 2030.

Officiating during the World AIDS Day commemoration in Hukuntsi yesterday, Dr Masisi said the great strides Botswana had made in the war against HIV/AIDS such as improving accessibility of treatment and launching the  prevention of transmission to unborn children were not enough.

The President therefore called on all stakeholders to join hands and evaluate existing progammes and augment them for better results.

He assured communities of government’s commitment to end inequalities and ensure fair distribution of health care services countrywide.

President Masisi emphasised the need for behavioural change which he said if not nipped in the bud, would adversely affect  government’s efforts.

He decried low testing for HIV by males and condemned discrimination against those infected with HIV/AIDS.

President Masisi encouraged all to support and protect the HIV infected to enable them to live normal lives in order to contribute towards growing the economy.

In addition, Dr Masisi cautioned about the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases.

He said intensive public health education on the necessity of changing lifestyles to embrace healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet and regular exercise was paramount.

In his welcome remarks, the village’s Kgosi Merapelo Tshweneyagae lamented that new HIV cases continued to be registered in the area.

He advised that available health progammes be utilised to prevent new infections.

Commending government for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, Kgosi Tshweneyagae said in the past two years, there were zero cases of children born with HIV/AIDS in the area.

In her closing remarks, Kgalagadi North MP, Ms Talita Monnakgotla pleaded for the construction of a major hospital in the area to improve access to health services.

She complained about  unavailability of doctors, accommodation for health workers and poor maintenance of health facilities.

The commemoration was held under the theme: Equalise, end inequalities, end AIDS by 2030. ENDS