HRDC Joins the World in Commemorating World Aids Day 2016

World Aids day is held on the 1st of December annually and it serves as an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV epidemic, to show their support for people living with and affected by HIV and commemorate people who have unfortunately died from this pandemic (AIDS).

The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) through the Wellness Committee joined other Government Ministries, Parastatal organisations, Private and Public Institutions in honouring World AIDS Day 2016. This event was held at Gaborone Senior Secondary School (GSS) Grounds on the 1st December 2016.

In contribution to the commemoration of Wold AIDS Day, HRDC staff members participated in a 4.8 kilometer walk from Molapo Crossing Mall to Gaborone Secondary School (GSS) Grounds. Additionally, HRDC had a stall during the event to showcase interventions that are in line with promoting safe sex and behavioural change that could lead to the spread of the HIV virus.

HRDC considered it imperative to participate in the commemoration of World AIDS Day, because it reminds the public and Government that HIV does still exist, therefore critical to invest in interventions that increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education Giving the keynote address, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Lieutenant General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama said, “This year’s theme, ‘Hands up for #HIVprevention’, has come at the right time when we as a country are reinvigorating our HIV prevention resolve to arrest the trajectory of the AIDS scourge. This theme encourages countries to assess their programmes as to how HIV prevention efforts can be better tailored towards the vulnerable groups of our society.

It also resonates with our values at independence of self - help, particularly taking into consideration that exactly two months ago Batswana celebrated 50 years of independence.”

“While Batswana endured pain and suffering, we steadfastly refused to falter and pulled together to conquer the virus. We pioneered the best nation-wide treatment programme in the world and triumphed in our quest to save babies from transmission of HIV.

Currently we are speaking of a mother to child transmission rate of about 1.6 percent, having dropped from a high of 40 percent since 2001” concluded President Khama. Although World AIDS Day is a great day to talk about HIV, it is important to keep the momentum going all year round. Therefore, HRDC together with other organisations in Botswana upheld an obligation to continue showing support to and solidity towards many people living with HIV (infected and affected).