BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Eswatini Government has made a vow to continue protecting Emaswati from contracting HIV/AIDS until the fight against the pandemic is completely won in 2030.
Government has made this vow when unpacking its 2023 to 2028 “Nkwe” Policy Statement today (Tuesday, November 5, 2024). Government is disturbed by the fact about 4 000 people still contract HIV/AIDS annually in this country and young girls are the most affected.
In making this vow, Government is also inspired by a command issued by His Majesty King Mswati III when opening the First Session of the 12th Parliament in February this year. During the Speech from the Throne, His Majesty the King stated that even though the fight against HIV/AIDS seemed to have been won, the country should not be carried away.
“While celebrating declining HIV/AIDS infections and deaths, we must reduce new infections so that Eswatini can remain on course for yet another milestone – that of ending Aids as a public health threat by 2030,” said the King when opening the august House.
In protecting Emaswati from contracting the epidemic, Government promised that it would leverage the investment made in the health sector to ensure access to appropriate quality health care services. The Ministry of Health would be restructured for efficiency and effectiveness and to meet modern health demands of the Nation.
This, according to Government, would be through the review of the Ministry mandate to focus on keeping the population healthy through disease prevention strategies, protection from global pandemics, strengthening disaster risk management and disease surveillance, as well as establishing a National Health Insurance.
“The country has made great strides in fighting HIV/AIDS but it remains a serious threat to longevity and productivity in the country. At least 4 000 people mostly young girls are infected with HIV annually, a disheartening concern for the nation,” said part of the statement.
The population, Government promised, would be protected from being infected and acquiring HIV through rigorous strategies. NERCHA’s mandate would be reviewed to include procurement of pharmaceuticals as well as Non-Communicable Diseases. The Central Medical Stores (CMS) would be transformed to a semi-autonomous organisation to improve its efficiency, accountability, and service to the nation.
Government also promised to prioritise the construction of a National Referral Hospital for highly specialised cases to reduce the cost of Phalala Fund, while increasing access to quality and advanced health services. The capacity of the National Health Council shall be strengthened through improved research and linkages with the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Investment would be made to increase output on training of medical doctors and strengthen nurses training programmes through partnerships with local and international tertiary institutions.
