Africa-Press – Eswatini. In a landmark step towards bolstering the country’s fight against HIV, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has officially commissioned Eswatini’s inaugural HIV Prevention Indaba – a nationwide dialogue designed to give citizens a voice in shaping the nation’s HIV prevention strategies.
Announced on Thursday, 20 November 2025, through Eswatini Government’s social media platforms, the Prime Minister revealed that data collectors from the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) would soon be deployed across the country to facilitate conversations within communities. While the exact dates were not disclosed, Dlamini emphasised that this initiative marks “a defining moment in the country’s journey to eradicate HIV.”
He expressed honour in opening what he described as a new era in the national response: “The HIV Prevention Indaba seeks to hear from the people of Eswatini on how we can strengthen our HIV prevention measures, so that we secure a stronger, healthier nation.”
Eswatini remains among the first nations globally to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, an accomplishment the Prime Minister celebrated as evidence of the country’s collective determination, resilience, and progress. Yet, he warned that despite these achievements, new challenges persist.
According to Dlamini, Eswatini still records approximately 4 000 new HIV infections annually. “This tells us that while we are winning on many fronts, the war against new infections is far from over,” he said. “The Prevention Indaba is about listening – truly listening – to the nation on how this challenge can be addressed.”
The Prime Minister urged all sectors of society to participate, highlighting that young people, men, women, transport operators, people living with HIV, and other key populations must be central to the national dialogue. Their lived experiences, he said, would guide the development of stronger, community-rooted solutions.
Dlamini reiterated Government’s belief that HIV prevention begins with values and choices. He emphasised abstinence, faithfulness, and responsible behaviour as enduring pillars of prevention, especially for young people, while also recognising the importance of pairing these values with modern medical tools.
“PrEP, condoms, BMMS, and comprehensive education remain essential in allowing every person to make informed decisions,” he said, calling for communities to cooperate fully with the data collectors who will soon be visiting them.
“Your participation is not only about answering questions,” he stressed. “It is about shaping the future of Eswatini’s HIV prevention response.”
Insights gathered from the public will enable Government to design stronger programmes that protect children and future generations from HIV. The Prime Minister appealed to citizens to treat the Indaba as a reminder that the responsibility to fight HIV rests with the entire nation.
“Together, through dialogue and action, we can overcome disruptions and strengthen our resolve in the fight against HIV,” he said.
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