DC preaches safe male circumcision
03 Dec 2024
Men have been urged to undergo circumcision to protect themselves and their partners against HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
North West District Commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka said medical circumcision helped reduce sexual transmission of HIV and in the process save lives.
He was speaking during a soccer tournament aimed to commemorate World HIV/AIDS Day in Maun on Sunday.
The tournament attracted four social clubs namely Grand Masters, Haka Matorokisi, Miami Stars and Bagaetsho Social Club.
The event offered participants access to health services such as HIV testing and counselling, STI screening, blood donation, condom distribution and demonstration as well as screening of non-communicable diseases.
Mr Waloka said circumcision was offered free in health facilities and he thus encouraged men to take lead in the programme noting that the procedure was simple and safe while the healing process was fast.
Reports indicate that circumcision reduces the chance of heterosexual HIV transmission by as much as 60 per cent and also helps reduce ulcerative STIs in men, he said.
Head of Preventative from Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital, Dr Keabetswe Solomon underscored the need for all to advocate for the rights of those infected by HIV.
She said efforts havd been made to create a community of advocates that fight stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV through education, positive messaging and HIV testing.
She also stated that there were programmes in place aimed at promoting HIV prevention citing the ‘Treat All’ strategy which promoted universal health coverage and ensured that all who tested positive got treatment no matter their viral load or CD count.
The strategy also aimed to address the HIV epidemic by providing free HIV treatment to all citizens and non-citizens in the country.
The programme, she said had helped to make significant progress in the fight against HIV citing that currently, 16 448 people had been enrolled on HIV treatment programme out of which 79 were children under 12 years. In addition, 365 non-citizens, she said were also on HIV treatment.
The district, Dr Solomon said was also doing well in controlling HIV/AIDS and reaching the declaration target set by the United Nations in providing lifesaving HIV treatment and reducing number of new infections.
The declaration ensured that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent who know their status were receiving HIV treatment and 95 per cent of people on treatment were virally suppressed.
As such the gathering learnt that the district was doing well in reaching the target as 83 per cent knew their status, 98 per cent were on HIV treatment and 99 per cent were virally suppressed.
She said the district was also doing well on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) programme. Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Esther Mmolai
Location : Maun
Event : Soccer Tournament
Date : 03 Dec 2024
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