11 Dec 2022

Sexually transmitted infections are notably raising especially among the youth.

It has also been noted that people with STIs were at a higher risk of getting HIV.

“The most prevalent STI is hepatitis, we have done a survey across the country and this disease is most prevalent in Maun and Kasane which is very worrisome,” said Mr Kemmonye Kusi when addressing information and broadcasting services staff in a workshop conducted by BUMMHI in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) recently. 

He said Botswana adapted World Health Organisation syndromic approach to improve on identifying asymptomatic infections with the goal to reduce HIV infection rate through reduction and control of STIs.

Mr Kusi emphasised the need to test and vaccinate for STIs periodically, especially pregnant women, students and sexually active young adults, adding that the Ministry of Health sought to develop and enhance strategies aimed at dealing with the drivers of the high STI burden.

Some contributing factors to rising numbers of STIs, he said, were that people were reluctant to seek medical attention, and those who did could not convince their partners to get treated.

Another factor is that some people had multiple sexual partners, rendering STIs spreading uncontrollable in the country.

He said community Home Based Care programme (CHBC) has thus far curbed the spreading of HIV through its initiatives which have now been extended to patients with STIs and non-communicable diseases, which were on the rise too.

Addressing the media, coordinator at CHBC, Ms Pontsho Pono said their mandate was to care and provide facilities for HIV patients with the help of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, adding that they  recently added cancer and other deadly diseases sufferers to their clients.

“We have around 3 000 volunteers all over the country who assist in patient bathing and feeding, they are playing a vital role in helping people to accept their health situations as well as help lift the weight off the family members of these patients and we are very thankful to those who are putting a hand in this programme,” said Ms Pono.

DREAMS coordinator, Ms Chawapiwa Mothuba explained that their programme strengthens the girl child alongside those they associate with economically and psychologically as well as help in counselling and giving guidance in their day to day adventures.

She encouraged the youth to take up the PREP medication that helps in reducing the risk of getting infected by HIV in order to reduce the numbers of HIV patients in the country. Ends