19 Jun 2023

Government appreciates the role played by independent organisations in assisting communities, the Member of Parliament for Molepolole South, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, has said.

Speaking during a health walk organized by the managing director of Current Times Mr Nlebeleki Bagali in Molepolole on Saturday, Mr Morwaeng said since government alone could not manage to provide for all, the role of the civil communities and private companies in uplifting the lives of Batswana were critical.

He paid tribute to Ms Boikobo Kenosi, an HIV and AIDS activist and said the role she played was important as she had become a champion of positive living.

Mr Morwaeng, who is also the Minister for State President, said ever since she discovered her illness, Ms Kenosi assisted others to live positively, a responsibility that warrants her to be made a national icon.

He encouraged participants to live healthy lifestyles by frequently exercising and taking note of what they eat. 

He said the nation was not only concerned about HIV and AIDS but also non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

He also encouraged them not to discriminate against those who are HIV positive as stigmatization made them feel unwanted and unloved, thereby leading them to either not accept their status or not to fully take their medication.

Mr Morwaeng emphasised the adage ‘if you are not infected you are affected’ and said some people discriminated against others while they do not know their status.

He said the government would continue to provide health to all citizens as it did in providing ARVs at a time when the disease was at its peak.

However, he said he was concerned that while the government was criticized for lack of medications, news reports have emerged of public officers who have been stealing to sell to private practitioners.

Such actions, he said, defeated the government’s initiatives and must end.

Ms Kenosi, who was one of the speakers, said she had been living with HIV for 23 years. 

She encouraged people to know their status and further said it was important for those receiving ARVs not to default on their medication. She said they must accept their status, and further appealed to all to end stigmatization and discrimination.

Ms Kenosi said being HIV positive does not mean one was careless, adding she was not promiscuous but got the virus as she did not use protection for one night. ends