Sadly most of the support groups have died and, so have their voice, which played on the nation’s conscience on issues affecting People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Recently Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi complained that government was perpetrating stigma by separating dispensaries for PLWHAs from those of other members of the public. He was right. Stigma remains one of the main barriers to effective responses to HIV/AIDS.
Lately, we are being told there is resurgence in the number of HIV cases. Could the most affected age cohort be people who would shy away from services because of stigma? Let us not forget that unlike in the past, there are strong support services such as centres for PLWHAs. Going back to the issue of dispensaries and PLWHAs, it is important that government prioritises anti-stigma programmes to encourage positive responses to the epidemic. When the government itself relegates stigma elimination to the bottom of HIV/AIDS programme priorities, then we can be sure people will avoid HIV/AIDS services. Many will die. Already, we are seeing more able-bodied people dying. We find gains we previously attained as a nation being reversed.
