BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
SIPHOFANENI — Eswatini’s continued progress in the HIV response is being matched by a renewed call for communities to strengthen prevention, with the country recording more than 4,000 new HIV infections annually. The National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) is encouraging Emaswati to remain informed, test regularly and work together to prevent new infections.
The message was delivered by Bheka Mziyako, Head of Strategic Information at NERCHA, during the Community Development Mobilization Exercise 2026 held at Nceka Chiefdom in Siphofaneni on August 15, 2026.
Mziyako said the figures highlight the importance of sustaining community-based prevention efforts while ensuring that people have access to accurate information and HIV services.
“In Siphofaneni, we counted around 4,000. In short, we are talking about roughly 24,000 people who contracted the virus,” said Mziyako, highlighting the scale of the challenge over the period under discussion.
He said communities have an important role to play in understanding and addressing factors that may increase vulnerability to HIV, including risky behaviour associated with alcohol consumption.
Mziyako noted that young girls and young women remain a key population in the country’s HIV response, emphasising the need to strengthen their access to information, prevention services and support.
“Those who are contracting the virus in Eswatini at the present time, as we have found, are our young girls and young women. That is where the virus is being contracted the most,” he said.
He called for stronger protection and empowerment of young people, encouraging families and communities to create supportive environments where young people can openly discuss issues affecting their health and wellbeing.
Mziyako also highlighted the importance of positive communication between parents and children, particularly when it comes to relationships, sexual health and responsible decision-making.
He encouraged parents and guardians to remain actively involved in the lives of young people, providing guidance while creating an environment where children feel comfortable seeking advice and asking questions.
The NERCHA official further stressed that HIV prevention should be approached as a shared responsibility involving individuals, families, community leaders, young people and institutions.
Regular HIV testing and knowing one’s status remain important tools in the national response, allowing individuals to access appropriate services early and make informed decisions about their health.
Mziyako’s message also highlighted the value of responsible choices and community support in reducing new infections. He encouraged residents to use available HIV prevention, testing and treatment services and to share accurate information within their communities.
The Community Development Mobilization Exercise provided an important platform for bringing health and development conversations closer to residents, demonstrating that strong communities require both economic opportunities and healthy populations.
As Eswatini continues strengthening its HIV response, the focus remains on ensuring that communities are equipped with knowledge, services and support to prevent new infections and improve quality of life.
The call from NERCHA is therefore one of continued action and optimism: by strengthening family communication, empowering young people, promoting regular testing and supporting community-led prevention, Emaswati can continue building on the country’s progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat.
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