31 Aug 2026

The Church and other faith-based organisations have a critical role to play in transforming Botswana’s response to HIV/AIDS, Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said on Sunday.

Speaking during the launch of the Month of Prayer under the theme: Let there be life in Lobatse, Mr Keorapetse said faith institutions were uniquely positioned to lead the fight due to their trusted relationships with families and communities.

“Given their trusted relationships with individuals, families, and communities, faith organisations are better equipped to spearhead the fight against HIV/AIDS,” he told congregants.

Mr Keorapetse called on pastors, ministers and all faith leaders to use their platforms to promote health-seeking behaviour. 

He urged them to encourage HIV testing, treatment adherence, health screening and mental health support, while also speaking openly about substance abuse and gender-based violence.

“Prayer offers hope, courage, wisdom, healing, and strength. Prayer has the power to mobilise communities into action, but it must be reflected in people’s everyday lives,” he said.

He stressed that prayer must be paired with practical steps: education, awareness campaigns and health testing.  

“Above all, people should seek and adhere to health treatments,” he added.

The Speaker said the same approach should be applied to GBV, alcohol, drugs and strengthening families.  

“Parents must be present in their children’s lives; spouses must learn to communicate and resolve conflicts constructively. 

Families facing struggles should not hesitate to seek counsel and support to create homes where individuals feel loved, heard, valued, and safe,” he said.

Also addressing the gathering, Deputy National Coordinator at the National AIDS Health Promotions Agency, Ms Tebogo Hlabano said the burden of HIV/AIDS and Non-Communicable Diseases continues to rise.

Ms Hlabano reported that 58 per cent of deaths in Botswana are now linked to NCDs. She cited risky behaviours including tobacco smoking, alcohol use, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity as key drivers.

On HIV, she said Botswana remained among the four most affected countries globally.  

“Despite significant advances in treatment and prevention, we are still recording approximately 2 200 new HIV infections annually,” she said.

The national HIV prevalence stands at 20.8 per cent, meaning about 329,000 adults are living with HIV, she disclosed.  

Ms Hlabano warned that recent shortages of medicines and HIV commodities threatened to reverse progress made so far.

The Month of Prayer will run throughout September with activities focused on health, families and community action. ENDS