Question

Botswana's AIDS Struggle

Write reflective essay on how do public health officials try to prevent the spread of disease in populations?

Answer 1

Botswana's AIDS Struggle

Write reflective essay on how do public health officials try to prevent the spread of disease in populations?

The southern African nation of Botswana is facing one of the most severe HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. It is estimated that, nearly 25 % of all adults in this nation are infected with the virus. This is decreasing the economy of the country and impends many developmental advances Botswana has achieved. Botswana's workforce is being exhausted as many adults in the productive age group is affected with AIDS and are not capable to do works. Females are extremely affected by the HIV epidemic.

Public health efforts to prevent spread

In 1985, the first case was reported in Botswana. After that the nation's effort was primarily dedicated blood screening to reduce the risk of transmission through transfusion. It was the first country in the Southern African region to deliver free antiretroviral treatment (ART) to people living with HIV, and this leads to many other countries in the region to follow the same. They have introduced programmes to tackle the issue of life expectancy and programme was announced in 1999 for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT). But even in that efforts also, the programme was effected by scarcity of human resources because Botswana required adequate health-care workers and a stable medical set-up to implement the program. AS the resources are tired and infected with HIV, the public health system deprived of implementing via suitable resources. Even though in this situation also, government introduced free screening for all individuals. When the cases continues to grow the government educated the people from school itself. They have introduced HIV testing in their routine health examinations in their national policy. Botswana provides Counseling and HIV testing facilities through a system of public and private health facilities and sites run by non-governmental establishments. In 2013 mandatory HIV testing was launched and instructed to disclose their status if requested .It was critically taken up by human right organizations and other authorities because of the stigma which can arise due to that. This implies the need for HIV self-testing but it has not yet been introduced in Botswana. Due to all this efforts the cases are decreased and death rates are also decreases. Even in this efforts also, there needs some more improvements echoes the low levels of HIV knowledge among young people. This implies the need of public health officials to more concentrate on educating people especially young generation. Awareness programmes for sex works are also happening to prevent the transmission. But still there are gaps in knowledge according to their needs. The public heath officials should focus on this sex workers and their clients. There is an urgent need to give more health education to sex workers to do HIV screening allowing more female sex workers to know their condition and to seek suitable treatment if essential.

Conclusion

Botswana has established a strong commitment in reacting to its HIV epidemic. Though, like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, obstacles exist that are obstructing development in the HIV response. One of the extreme threats to HIV gender inequality and legal barriers. It should be sorted out by the public health officials through policies. There should be adequate fund also for each category. Health education also should concentrate based on the needs