Collectively we can fight HIV/AIDS (COMMENT)

Over the years, Botswana has done really well in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Through the good leadership and forward sightedness of then president, Festus Mogae Botswana became the first country in Africa to introduce a comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment programme, in both the public and private

sectors.

At that time other African governments felt that ARVs were expensive and were reluctant to introduce them in the public sector. Botswana’s efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS were hailed internationally with many donors pumping money into the country.

Last July the country announced that it reached the UNAIDS HIV service target of 95 percent of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) aware of their status, 95 percent of those aware of their status will receive sustained antiretroviral treatment (ART), and that 95 percent of people receiving ART will achieve viral load suppression, a reduction of HIV in the body to undetectable levels, in 2021, four years before the 2025 target date.

However, despite government’s efforts it seems as a nation we have taken our eyes off the ball in trying to contain the disease. As per the latest Fifth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V), a worrying trend is emerging that some people are engaging in unprotected sex willy-nilly.

The survey states that 55.9 percent of those interviewed reported having sex with non-marital, non-cohabiting partner in the last 12 months. Out of this population, only 73.8 percent used a condom.

As reported by our sister publication The Midweek Sun this means that people are having sex with people who are not their everyday partners and without protection. It also means that there is casual unprotected sex still taking place.

The survey also shows that 20.8 percent of Botswana’s population is living with HIV, an increase from 18.5 percent recorded in BIAS lV and 17.6 percent recorded in BIAS lll.

This is a worrying trend because it renders government efforts in vain. As a nation we need to collectively put our efforts together to combat HIV/AIDS, a disease that has already killed over 40 million people worldwide.

The government should also resuscitate public education sessions about the disease. With no cure for HIV experts have always argued that education has proven to be among the most cost-effective ways to prevent the spread of this disease.

According to Global Partnership for Education (GPE) education can save lives, by providing individuals with the knowledge to reduce their risk of getting infected with HIV.