Africa-Press – Eswatini. NERCHA National Executive Director Khanya Mabuza has expressed unhappiness over the surge of new infections noted in the Hhohho region.
He noted with concern that the infections mainly affected the girl child.
Mabuza was speaking yesterday during the Hhohho regional World Aids Day commemoration held at the Prince of Wales in Mbabane.
The day was commemorated under the theme ‘Equalise: Eswatini Ending AIDS for all.’
The theme was centred on equalising and encouraging Emaswati to work for the proven practical actions needed to address inequalities and help end AIDS.
He said it was a cause for concern that new infections in the Hhohho region affected mainly the girl child. He said the major worry was that men continued to infect adolescent girls and young women with the virus. He said major steps should be taken to address the problem.
Mabuza then expressed gratitude to those who played a part in bettering the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country.
“Eswatini was once on the map as the country with the worst HIV rates. The commitment of the Eswatini nation collectively has brought us where we are today. Our starting point was to appreciate that we have a problem,” said Mabuza.
Meanwhile, UNAIDS Country Director Rose Craigue emphasised on bridging the inequalities as a country in the fight against the virus. She said holding the country back in the fight against HIV and Aids were inequalities.
Inequalities
“Some of the noted inequalities are increase in teenage pregnancy, and gender based violence,” she said.
Craig raised important factors stating that the theme behind this year’s World AIDS Day stemmed from issues that could be addressed and tackled.
She said the theme had been propelled by the realisation that the inequalities that were perpetuating the AIDS pandemic were things that could be addressed, “they are things that we can tackle and they are things that are not inevitable. That is my main message today.
May I urge Eswatini to tackle all the inequalities that are holding us back from ending AIDS as a public health rate in this country,” said Craig.
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