Africa-Press – Eswatini. ”The country must work towards intensifying the fight against HIV/AIDS and preventing new infections”, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini said when launching ther National Multisectoral HIV and AIDS Framework 2024-2028.
“Eswatini is recognised world over for turning the tide against the pandemic and mitigating the devastating effects and impacts of HIV and AIDS. Being among the first few countries to achieve the UN global AIDS target of 95-95-95 in record time is a testament to this Nation’s resilience in tackling public health issues.While we celebrate this great achievement in the Nation’s response to HIV and AIDS, it is important to intensify our HIV Prevention response to avert new HIV infections which have remained high among adolescent girls and young women. Our local literature highlights that the HIV incidence is 3-5 times higher among adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 29 years compared to their male counterparts”, said the Prime Minister.
The PM further noted that, poverty and unemployment are some of the drivers of new infections.
“Fortunately, we now know where some of these new HIV infections are coming from and have identified potential perpetuators of new HIV infections, which include poverty, unemployment, intergenerational sex, early sexual debut, transactional sex, gender-based violence, low access to HIV prevention technologies, inadequate condom use, low values and low morality”, he said.
George Wachira, the United Nations(UN) Eswatini Resident Coordinator, Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula were present during the launch together with other leaders of the civil society.
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