BOTSWANA: Behavioural change urged in AIDS battle

As Botswana tackles one of the world's highest levels of HIV/AIDS, President Festus Mogae has called for a stronger public commitment to behavioural change.

In a recent two-hour "state of the nation" address, Mogae said the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS remained one of the greatest barriers in the implementation of various care and prevention strategies.

Botswana has an estimated 40 percent of its adults currently living with HIV/AIDS, and has done more than most countries to eradicate stigma.

The President was quoted by Agence France-Presse (AFP) as saying: "We have spoken of the HIV/AIDS pandemic as a war that needs to be won. Yet, in this war we remain our worst enemy - it is we alone, who, through behaviour change, must achieve our victory."

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

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