23 March 2009:
Ministry of Health to receive Bonela TB Advocacy Document at World TB Day Commemoration
The Honorouble Minster of Health Lesego Motsumi will receive a tuberculosis (TB)/HIV advocacy document from the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) at 2pm tomorrow (24 March 2009) at the Ministry of Health Building. This presentation will be a culmination of a march organized by BONELA in commemoration of World TB Day in line with the organisation’s TB campaign.
The TB advocacy document outlines concerns from BONELA about infection control at health institutions and correctional facilities; the systematic integration of TB and HIV services and the fact that Botswana is not a member of the Green Light Committee, which assists in access to MDR TB diagnostics facilities and medication.
In recognition of the vulnerability of people living with HIV to TB infection, BONELA has since 2008 embarked on a TB campaign to address several emerging and pertinent issues particularly addressing its efforts towards mitigating the impact of TB on people living with HIV.
More than 500 people in communities have been trained on treatment literacy – including– basic human anatomy, immunology, virology, opportunistic and sexually transmitted infections and ARV therapy. A core cadre of treatment literacy trainers was established in 6 districts to coordinate and sustain the program at district level.
The TB awareness march will start at the National Stadium at 10:30 am and proceed to the Main Mall where an awareness-raising public dissemination campaign will be conducted. The day will end with the presentation of BONELA’s TB/HIV advocacy document to the minister.