03 Dec 2024

Men have been urged to undergo circumcision to protect themselves and their partners from HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

North West district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka said medical circumcision helps reduce the sexual transmission of HIV and save lives.

He said this during a soccer tournament aimed to commemorate World HIV/AIDS Day held on Sunday. Participants had an access to health services such as HIV testing and counselling, STI screening, blood donation, condom distribution and demonstration, non-communicable diseases screening and education and many more.

The tournament attracted four social clubs namely Grand Masters, Haka Matorokisi, Miami Stars and Bagaetsho Social Club and was played at Anti- poaching grounds at Botswana Wildlife Training Institute.

Mr Waloka said circumcision was offered free in health facilities and therefore encouraged men to take the lead in the programme noting that the procedure was simple, safe adding that the healing process was fast.

Reports had indicated 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.

“Circumcision is an important part of our overall physical health as such, we must take the lead to reduce our risk of becoming infected with HIV. There is pain and adverse effects on sexual function or pleasure,” he emphasised.

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 saying efforts were made at health facilities 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 eloquently 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.

She said the programme had helped to make significant progress in the fight against HIV citing that currently, 16448 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.

Dr Solomon said the district 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.

 However, Dr Solomon also pointed out that HIV testing remained a challenge but appreciated that they were working hand in hand with other non-governmental organisations to help in testing.

She said the district was also doing well on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) programme citing that pregnant women were encouraged to register well on time as the intervention helped to reduce the spread of HIV from mothers to their babies. Ends