BOTSWANA: Police service not spared by HIV/AIDS

The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has not been spared the negative impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, a top police official has said.

Deputy Commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako said service and delivery had already been affected as many officers took ill or died of AIDS-related illnesses.

A 2003 study undertaken by the International Labour Organisation revealed that across all occupational sectors in sub-Saharan Africa, it has become increasingly difficult to replace skilled and unskilled labour lost to HIV/AIDS.

The local Mmegi online news service quoted Tsimako as saying: "To halt and reverse the destructive tide of HIV/AIDS, a more dynamic, determined and radical response is required; to do less may well spell disaster for the country."

He warned that Botswana's population was young and small, and if not properly tackled, the long-term effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic could be "colossal".

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Economy,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]