BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Sitsandziwe clinic has continued to provide comprehensive sexual health services, with a strong focus on mental health, to marginalised communities.
These communities include adolescents, young women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, factory workers, and university students. The clinic’s emphasis on confidentiality and ‘safe space’ care makes it a preferred choice for many seeking sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in the city of Manzini.In recent months, more patients turn to Sitsandziwe, where services are free of charge. Here are five things to know about Sitsandziwe clinic:
- Launched on Valentine’s Day with a name embraced by the community
Launched on Valentine’s Day 2024, the clinic’s name, Sitsandziwe, which means “We Are Loved”, is chosen by staff and local communities. Located in Matsapha, Manzini, an industrial hub in Eswatini, it provides essential SRH services to marginalised groups who often struggle to access healthcare. With an initial target of 10,000 consultations in its first year, the clinic exceeds expectations by 43 per cent, reaching 14,249 consultations in 2024.
- National staff play a critical role
The Sitsandziwe clinic runs with a dedicated team of 28 locally hired staff and three staff on international assignments, ensuring deep community integration. Having national staff helps break down language and cultural barriers, creating a safe and welcoming environment where patients feel comfortable accessing services and openly discussing their health concerns.
- People and patients as partners
The clinic operates with a people-centred approach, involving patients as partners in the delivery of their healthcare. Through four community roundtables, members of community groups actively contribute to shaping the clinic’s services, including extending opening hours to better serve communities such as university students and factory workers, who prefer to attend after working hours. The clinic also collaborates with community-led events to improve outreach and health education.
- Innovative health solutions
Unlike the standard verbal diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Eswatini, Sitsandziwe offers laboratory-based STI testing, ensuring accurate results and treatment while reducing pill burden. This means diagnosis and treatment is more precise, making it more effective for the patient. A total of 10,396 tests are performed, demonstrating the demand for these services.The clinic also provides pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV, offering daily oral pills, PrEP rings, and event-driven PrEP, commonly known as 2-1-1, where men take 2 pills before exposure to HIV and the other 2 pills within 48 hours. However, adherence challenges affect PrEP uptake. To address this, injectable PrEP – a more discreet and long-lasting option – is introduced in February 2025, requiring only one injection every two months.
- Expanding consultations
Recognising the increase in cancer cases among the communities, the clinic conducts 1,437 human papillomavirus (HPV) screenings, with 35 per cent of people testing positive and undergoing further evaluation. Additional services provided in 2024 include 3,801 HIV tests and 280 mental health consultations, with six patients referred to psychiatric care.Sitsandziwe has become a trusted and invaluable partner in healthcare and a safe space for many in the community of Matsapha. The clinic is ready to support many more people in the coming years.
