Prevention cornerstone in battle against HIV/AIDS � Ambassador Murphy

Zolani Kraai | Friday June 13, 2014 15:57

 

 Murphy said the film, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, highlights the importance of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among people who are most vulnerable to infection.

“Fundamentally, the film aims to educate and engage young African audiences in a healthy, honest dialogue on HIV infection,” said Murphy.

He emphasised the message relayed in the film saying that the storyline involves relationships, the risks of unprotected sex and how an HIV diagnosis affects the human body.  “The US government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported the production of Inside Story because we believe that prevention and education are effective and important tools,” Murphy said.

He also reminded the audience that a few weeks ago the US government in partnership with the government of Botswana launched a television series called Shuga that embeds HIV and AIDS education and prevention messages through the programme.

 He said the programmes will curb HIV transmission among young people, and then help reduce its overall spread through the larger population.

“Youth such as yourselves frequently tell us that HIV/AIDS is one of your biggest concerns.  A film like Inside Story allows us to communicate basic facts about HIV transmission and dispel the stigma of HIV in a way that speaks with, rather than at them,” Murphy said.

He also noted that the film is designed to start frank conversations with youth and encourage them to ask questions in a forum that may not have been available to them in the past.

Murphy said over the last 10 years, through PEPFAR, the US government has spent approximately P6 billion on HIV/AIDS programmes in Botswana.

He said that successful prevention programmes require a combination of evidence-based and mutually reinforcing interventions.