23 May 2018

A documentary showing the life and times of five Batswana and their commitment to living long and full lives while on HIV treatment was launched on May 22, by the United States Embassy, with President Mokgweetsi Masisi and First Lady Neo Masisi among the attendants.

Titled Have It All, the 40- minute film was produced by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

The documentary focuses on five Batswana living with HIV who describe their journeys through testing, disclosure and initiating treatment over the past two decades.

Stanley Monageng, a 71-year- old retired nurse, Edwin and Maria Motse, an HIV positive couple who have been married for 16 years and have three HIV negative children, Masedi Kewamodimo, a 23-year-old who was born with HIV and Pontsho Sekisang, a young man who has faced discrimination both for his HIV status and sexual orientation are the stars of the film.

Speaking at the launch of the film, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Alfred Madigele said the documentary comes on the eve of the second anniversary of Treat All’s inception.

He noted that in keeping with scientific advancements to contain the epidemic, the Treat All strategy is an add-on biomedical prevention intervention that is meant to reach all the HIV infected persons regardless of CD4 cell count and age.

“This is keeping with the Global 90-90-90 Fast Track Targets; meaning 90 per cent of HIV cases are diagnosed, 90 per cent of those diagnosed are put on treatment and 90 per cent of those on treatment maintain viral suppression,” he said.

Dr Madigele said this affirms government’s commitment to what is now viewed around the world as a critical cutting-edge approach towards controlling the epidemic by 2020 and ending AIDS by 2030.

He noted that the economic and epidemiological analysis done before the launch of Treat All indicated that this approach would be the most cost effective option to support the sustainability of HIV response as it would lead to reductions in the number of new HIV infections, AIDS deaths, number of TB cases and reduction in ART associated toxicities and treatment failure.

“Through years of research, scientists have also demonstrated that there is reduced HIV transmission rate from someone adhering to treatment who maintains an undetectable viral load. For certain the financial sustainability of Treat All may not be realised today, but in the future,” continued Dr Madigele.

He further said there is need to focus on segments of the population who are lagging behind and these include, among others, adolescent girls and young women, men and key populations, hence the need to strengthen public education and further address all stigma related factors, which might inhibit access to services.

Dr Madigele said it was worth mentioning that the Treat All strategy is augmented by others such as the National Safe Male Circumcision strategy, the Condom Strategy and the over-arching National Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS.

“While there is so much to be grateful for, I am worried that as a nation we seem to have abdicated our personal responsibility for our own health and wellbeing.

As we have always said, government can do so much, the rest lies with us individuals. Complacency is the last thing we can wish for, not only for HIV and AIDS, but for non-communicable diseases, which pose another enormous threat to our nation,” cautioned the minister.

For his part, US Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Earl Miller said from 1995 to 1998 HIV/AIDS was ravaging this country and in 2000, former president Dr Festus Mogae warned the world Botswana was threatened with extinction by the relentless spread of the epidemic.

“In 2000, more than a third of Batswana adults were HIV positive. Without success in restraining the virus, estimated life expectancy, then at 62 years, would fall by more than half. Two-thirds of 15-year-old Batswana boys would die of AIDS-related illnesses and there were projections that could rise to nearly 90 per cent,” he said.

Ambassador Miller noted that because of the powerful stigma at the time, lack of knowledge, fear and shame associated with the disease, too many did not seek proper treatment or sought it too late.

He further said since 2004 in its response to HIV/AIDS, the US government through PEPFAR has spent over US$900 million supporting the government of Botswana.

Ambassador Miller said Botswana today is a world leader in providing free ARV medication to its citizens and ensuring proper health care to those affected by the disease through ground breaking programmes such as Treat All.

“But we have many rivers to cross to get to epidemic control and an AIDS free generation.

Today, HIV infections rates remain unacceptably high.

One in five adults in Botswana has HIV.  There are nearly 14 000 new infections per year. That’s 37 new infections a day,” he said.

Touching more on the stars of the film, Ambassador Miller said they are candid and courageous about their personal journey and marathon, their trials and triumphs, with relationships, parenting and continuing stigma.

“People should also look out for ATI, Charma Gal and MMP Family on the soundtrack for the film. ATI has generously allowed us to use his entire new album on the film’s soundtrack,” he said.

Other dignitaries included Dr Mogae and former First Lady Ms Barbara Mogae, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Nonofo Molefhi, Gaborone City mayor, Kagiso Thutlwe and Kgosi Mosadi Seboko.

The documentary is set to premiere at cinemas in Botswana on May 30 all day.

Entrance is free. ENDS