Africa-Press – Botswana. The faith-based community has been hailed for its efforts in supporting government in its response to the health challenges and social ills bedevilling the nation.
Speaking at Pitso ya Johane Masowe and Kgolagano ya Jerusalema community dialogue on vulnerability of men and boys’ health and social ills in Maun on March 22, the Assistant Minister for State President, Ms Maipelo Mophuting said when government called for a multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the faith-based community stepped up and responded.
“We cannot over-emphasise the value of the faith sector response to challenges of HIV and AIDS and NCDs including mental health and social ills, hence my conviction that this gathering is of paramount importance,” she said.
“My special appreciation goes to Johanne Masowe, Kgolagano ya Jerusalema, and Botswana Faith Based Organisations Network on HIV/AIDS who have spearheaded this critical initiative,” she added.
Ms Mophuting further encouraged men to seek health services saying it was concerning that global statistics indicated that one out of three men would have sought medical services in the past year.
More concerning, she said was the fact that reports from the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency and the Ministry of Health confirmed that the uptake of health services by men was low.
“The services include HIV testing, Anti-Retroviral Treatment enrolment and adherence, Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision, screening for NCDs such as cancers, diabetes, and high blood pressure.”
“It is important to note that reluctance by men to access health services can lead to numerous health challenges, which compromises the quality of their lives, with possibility of ultimately shortening their life span. It is not in doubt that we need healthy men in our communities to actively participate in the development of our country. We need men as supportive and protective brothers, present and active fathers, loving husbands, uncles who protect and guide their nephews and nieces, and above all, men who provide safe spaces for their communities,” she said.
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