As one of the worst affected countries in the world, we need to take stock at every opportunity, of the distance that we have covered and most importantly to remind ourselves that a lot more still needs to be done.
As a country we have made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We believe it is because of the many diverse efforts that the infection rate has been lowered. The fight needed to be multi-pronged to deal with the effects that the disease had on our country. People living with HIV/AIDS need to be assisted with care and other coping strategies. That is why we have introduced Anti-retroviral drugs in our public health system, among other initiatives. It is estimated that close to 200, 000 Batswana are benefiting from the programme. Considering the huge costs of these drugs, this is a bold and wise decision taken by the government and donor partners to try and save lives.
This programme has been a roaring success as many lives have been restored or saved.The only danger is to guard against complacency and re-infection. Programmes for prevention of mother-to-child transmission have been effective in controlling the effects of HIV/AIDS. This programme has been particularly helpful in curbing the infection rate.
Many of our people who have either been orphaned by HIV/AIDS or left without guardians have not been completely left out of the social safety networks. While food rations and other physical care cannot substitute the social and emotional care provided by parents, there is an attempt by society to ensure that the effects of HIV/AIDS are not as devastating as they could otherwise have been.
While we commemorate and remember those who unfortunately passed on, we should perhaps go further and make an undertaking that we strengthen anti-HIV/AIDS initiatives and not lower our guard for a moment. It is good that this year's activities centred on universal access and human rights. In other countries, citizens have not been granted universal access to HIV/AIDS care. We should join in the effort to urge such countries to allow universal access. We have benefited from universal access and we have seen the benefits. We can project ourselves as a success story so that others can draw lessons from our good example.
Today's Thought
If we get a government that reflects more of what this country is really about, we can turn the century
- Bella Abzug
