Botswana - Francistown – 22 January 2010 (Mmegi) - Although the soccer World Cup in South Africa is expected to come with good things, the Ministry of Health fears that it may also have an adverse impact on Botswana.Public relations officer in the ministry, Themba Sibanda said because of the cross border relations with South Africa, Botswana might possibly be affected by the rise of HIV infections during the World Cup.
"People have free movement between the two countries making it easy for people to interact even sexually and otherwise. This will affect Botswana because if people interact sexually, some may be having HIV and other infections," he said.
He indicated that the heavy influx of tourists from other countries and the relationships they will be cultivating with locals, transactional sex between locals and tourists for financial benefits may lead to increased transmission of diseases, especially where care and safety are not observed.
Besides HIV/AIDS, Sibanda said Botswana face the danger of rising cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Tuberculosis (TB) because of the World Cup. He added that the introduction of drugs and other behavioural problems that are not common in Botswana might also escalate in the country when the event kicks-off on June 11.
As such, the ministry is going to intensify its health education interventions, especially at all ports of entry into the country, such as borders and airports. "We will even conduct workshops for public transport operators and the hotel industry. Condoms and messages will also be availed at these places," Sibanda said.
The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has indicated that HIV/AIDS infection rates in the country may increase during the World Cup.
South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who chairs SANAC has said the sport and entertainment sectors will hold talks to examine how the event will be used to focus on HIV/AIDS. The initiative is meant to ensure that the World Cup does not result in increased infections.
Story written by Isaac Pinielo
Online at : http://allafrica.com/stories/201001210890.html