US Embassy hands over IDCC clinic to BDF
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Wednesday February 3, 2016 16:44
Delivering his address at the handover ceremony, Brigadier Benjamin Masunga said that this is a project between the BDF and the Department of Defence in the American Embassy.
He said he was informed that the centre would enable the HIV/AIDS testing and Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) campaign.
He indicated that the project would bring them hope, a sense of belonging and promote good relations between the two countries’ militaries and their governments.
“The Botswana AIDS Impact Survey of 2013 indicate that our areas like Mahalapye, Selebi-Phikwe, Francistown and Chobe have the highest prevalence rate in the country,” he said.
He added that research has also shown that heterosexual networks with the practice of having multi-concurrent partnerships, alcohol abuse, intergenerational sex and the low male circumcision rate drive HIV.
Handing over the centre, US Ambassador Earl Miller said that through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the US government has committed more than $700 million to Botswana to assist in the response to HIV.
Additionally, he said that they have come a long way together in the last 12 years, but their work is far from done.
Miller said that they are working with different stakeholders to help Batswana achieve epidemic control by 2018.
He disclosed that the BDF is one of the leading institutions in fighting HIV/AIDS.
He acknowledged the work of BDF in creating the centre in Francistown.
Miller said that they have contributed P3.5 million for the construction of the centre but the BDF mobilised the necessary stakeholders to connect the telecommunications and water utilities corporation services.
“The centre will provide access for soldiers and local civilians through a one-stop location for medical services such as HIV counselling and testing, safe male circumcision, TB/HIV screening, general consultation, drug dispensary and anti-retroviral treatment, care and support,” he said.
He added that they would be handing over a vehicle to support the BDF Tubercolosis (TB), HIV and laboratory programmes.
Miller said that 17 computers have been procured to assist the staff at the centre in its daily activities.
Giving a brief background of the two nations he said that in 2009 the BDF and PEPFAR worked together to host the International Military HIV Conference in Gaborone, allowing the BDF to showcase its efforts and share best practices with other 20 African nations and more than 150 participants from across the world.
He indicated that between 2009 and 2011 the US assisted in the construction and equipping of laboratories in Francistown and Selebi-Phikwe, and setting up similar IDCC centres in Gaborone and Selebi-Phikwe.
The US ambassador said that in 2012 the US Department of Defence and the BDF partnered during Exercise Southern Accord to provide Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision and dental services in four communities and opened the first Information Resources Centre at Maun base camp in 2013.
“Currently, PEPFAR is assisting with the BDF-developed and implemented SEKWATA prevention programme to support voluntary counselling and testing, safe male circumcision and HIV-prevention education. SEKWATA serves as a brand for its prevention programme, including the SEKWATA condoms,” said Miller.
When accepting the centre, Major General Gotsileene Morake said that the day marks the collective reaffirmation, commitment and contribution in the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS.
He encouraged members of the BDF to utilise the facility effectively and that they should perceive the centre as a valuable addition to their personal life and organisational growth.
Morake said that the centre comes as an opportunity to control the flow of many diseases surrounding them and to realise their commitment to zero HIV infections.
He recognised the contribution made by their partners like JHPIEGO, an international, non-profit health organisation affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University, in providing the technical support to their HIV prevention initiatives.