BONELA applauds govt on �Test and Treat�
Correspondent | Wednesday June 8, 2016 16:14
BONELA recognises the value of this initiative as it will positively impact the national HIV incidence and AIDS related death rate; and furthermore applauds the Government’s demonstrated commitment towards the 90-90-90 global initiative. We do however note that this initiative is yet to develop strategies that will ensure coordinated community involvement and ownership.
The Ministry of Health should therefore work with Civil Society Organisations in order to mobilise as well as educate the community, thereby increasing the uptake of these services while addressing issue of stigma and discrimination. There is need to remember that treatment is prevention. Hence, it is necessary to launch a mass HIV/AIDS education campaign in tandem with this initiative.
Any initiative is to be cognisant of the human rights element. The legal environment needs to be conducive so as to ensure that most at risk population groups and the-hard-to reach members of our society such as Sex Workers and the LGBT community are not excluded and are also linked to care.
The Botswana Network on Ethics Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA); is a national Network whose mission is committed to the promotion of a just and inclusive environment to prevent HIV infection and provide a greater quality of life for people affected by HIV and AIDS. We also provide free legal services to individuals whose rights are violated.
#LeavingNoOneBehind #HumanRightsForAll
bonela@bonela.org