Mqondisi Dube
27 November 2008
Selebi- Phikwe — As the country prepares to commemorate World Aids Day on Monday, President Ian Khama has been castigated for paying scant attention to HIV/AIDS issues.
Khama will be the main speaker at the World AIDS Day commemorations in Selebi Phikwe on Monday.
Two opposition party figures have challenged the president to pursue HIV/AIDS with the same vigour he has done with the alcohol issue.Botswana National Front (BNF) publicity secretary, Moeti Mohwasa said Khama has not made any effort to address HIV/AIDS issues.
"The question is has he done anything? In the few months that he has been in charge, you are able to see through his directives where his priorities lie. I am still to be convinced that he is doing something," Mohwasa said.
He said the president has pursued the fight against alcohol abuse with verve but the same energy is missing in the AIDS battle.
"As far as we are concerned, HIV/AIDS issues are far more serious than the alcohol debate. He has to show us that he is committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS the same way he has shown with alcohol," Mohwasa argued.
He said the president should chair the National Aids Coordinating Agency (NACA) like his predecessor, Festus Mogae.
Mogae was showered with praises and accolades globally for his unwavering fight against the epidemic.Mohwasa said the BNF has an extensive programmes to fight the disease.
Mohwasa cited their meetings in Jwaneng and Serowe where they had invited NACA and AIDS activists to talk about wellness issues.
However, he said, their efforts are being held back by what he termed the "politicising of events" like the national AIDS Day where speakers are mainly drawn from the government."As the opposition, we are not meaningfully engaged in AIDS issues. The government does not like it when we are invited to officiate at AIDS events," Mohwasa said.
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president, Gilson Saleshando said Khama's contribution to the AIDS fight "has been insignificant"."He pays no attention to the issue. It is not in his agenda yet it still remains a huge problem for the country. He should not behave as if we have won the war against AIDS," Saleshando said.
He said people are still dying of AIDS because of denial and this called for a concerted effort from everyone to fight the disease. Saleshando said the President should use his influence and lead from the front.
"I think he would do better visiting hospitals and addressing patients rather than sitting around bonfires," Saleshando said.He added that Khama should show more concern as the nation is losing productive lives, which affects the economy.
He urged the president to go public and reveal his status, following in the footsteps of Mogae. Saleshando said the opposition does not have the capacity to carry out intensive campaigns as it is hamstrung for resources.
"If I had it my way, I would visit hospitals around the country and gather the information that we need, but we are limited. I can only talk about it (AIDS) at freedom squares," Saleshando said, adding that as an opposition politician, he might be denied information at hospitals.He said the BCP encourages people to test and know their status, adding that ignorance has led to the loss of many lives.
An estimated 300,000 people are living with HIV, with an adult prevalence rate of 23,9 percent, which in 2007 was second in the world only to Swaziland.
Botswana became the first African country to offer free antiretroviral therapy to its citizen, but it is still battling to contain the deadly epidemic.
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