Unpacking HIV status quo in Kgalagadi North
Progress in prevention and treatment of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) is said to be faltering around the world, putting millions of people in grave danger. This was said by UNAIDS in its report released in July this year.
UNAIDS says Eastern Europe and central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa have all seen increase in annual HIV infections over several years. In Asia and the Pacific, UNAIDS data now show new HIV infections are rising where they had been falling.
According to UNAIDS, action to tackle the inequalities driving Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is urgently required to prevent millions of new HIV infections this decade and to end the AIDS pandemic. Globally, the number of new infections dropped by only 3.6% between 2020 and 2021, the smallest annual decline in new HIV infections since 2016.
Bringing the HIV situation closer to home, particularly to Kgalagadi North, the status quo is not that disheartening. The region is one of the few with quite relatively low HIV prevalence in Botswana, but obviously with eyebrow raising if not disturbing incidences here and there.
District AIDS Coordinator for Kgalagadi North, Keodiretse Seretse told WeekendPost this week that there are two thousand, six hundred and ninety one (2691) patients who have enrolled for Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment in a population of twenty three thousand, five hundred and ten (23,510).
Kgalagadi North is made out of nine and five settlements and villages respectively. These villages are Hukuntsi, Kang, Lehututu, Lokgwabe and Tshane, while settlements are Inalegolo, Phuduhudu, Maake, Monong, Hunhukwe, Ncaang, Zhutshwa, Ngwatle and Ukhwi.
“From the number above (2691) sixteen (16) children under 12 years were born with HIV but they are currently living normal lives due to the ARV treatment. In this number, 8.2% of the patients are male while 8.1% are females,” said Seretse.
She further indicated that Kang has the highest HIV prevalence rate because of the Trans-Kalahari Highway “as we begin to see some emerging issues such as sex work. The village also has high rate of teenage pregnancy.”
When quizzed on which age group is mostly infected with HIV, Seretse told this publication that people aged between 35 and 39 are the most affected, followed by the age range 40-44. She added that the main cause of HIV in Kgalagadi North is mostly unprotected sex as the desert region continues to see drastic spike in sexually transmitted infections.
In the past three months, the region has recorded thirteen new HIV infections, of which eight were females and five were males from a total of seven hundred and nineteen (719) which was tested for the highly contagious incurable disease.
“Besides all these disturbing figures, we have Antiretroviral therapy (ART) program that is progressing exceptionally well. ART is a treatment for HIV/AIDS that can prolong and improve patients’ lives, and potentially reduce the risk that they will infect others.
“Viral suppression rate is at 99.2% and program uptake is at 99%. Prevention of Mother to Child Transmissions (PMTCT) program is also doing well as uptake has hit the 100% mark,” Seretse told this publication.
She however, expressed concern saying they are experiencing ARV medication defaults. “This is happening especially at the settlements. Those who work at the farms sometimes default as they move from one farm to another frequently. At times they do not notify the health care workers.”
As it stands, there are twenty one (21) HIV patients who have defaulted from the ARV treatment and are still being followed to continue their medication.
Meanwhile, reports say there were 38.4 million people globally living with HIV in 2021. According to these reports, 1.5 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2021, while 650 thousand people died from AIDS-related illnesses in the same year.
Further, 28.7 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy last year. Over 80 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic, while 40 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic.
Of the 38.4 million people living with HIV in 2021, 36.7 million are adults (15 years and older), 1.7 million children (0 to 14 years) and 54% of all people living with HIV were women and girls. According to the reports, 5.9 million people living with HIV did not know they had the virus, while 85% knew about their HIV status.
At the end of December 2021, 28.7 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy, up from 7.8 million people in 2010. New infections have been reduced by 54% since the peak in 1996. Since 2010, new infections have declined by 32% from 2.2 million to 1.5 million in 2021.
In 2021, key populations (sex workers and their client’s gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and transgender people) and their sexual partners accounted for 70% of HIV infections globally.
It has been reported that 94% of new infections were outside of sub-Saharan Africa while only 51% were from the region under review. Every week, around 4900 young women aged between 15 and 24 years become infected with HIV.
In sub-Saharan Africa, six in seven new HIV infections among adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years are girls. Girls and young women aged between 15 and 24 years are twice as likely to be living with HIV than young men.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.