28/11/2024
As we prepare for World AIDS Day on December 1st, Georgetown University Center for Global Health Practice and Impact (GU CGPHI) through PEPFAR/CDC funding successfully conducted an AIDS Day campaign in Sitsatsaweni, a community under the Lugongolweni Inkhundla, where GU CGPHI implements the DREAMS program under the BLOSSOM project. The event, held under the national theme “Nkwe! Eswatini Taking the Rights Path to Ending AIDS,” attracted over 250 participants, including key stakeholders such as SWAGAA, Young Heroes, and World Vision.
The program featured impactful speakers, edutainment, and discussions centered on rights, while also providing essential health services to the public. A significant focus of the event was the community's role and rights in preventing new HIV infections. The Lubombo Public Health Matron, Absalom Maziya, emphasized vital rights that empower individuals to protect themselves against HIV and curb its transmission, stating, “These rights include access to health services and treatment for those living with HIV. For those who are HIV-negative, it’s crucial to consider Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), while HIV-positive individuals should adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).” He also encouraged the community to follow the Ministry of Health’s recommendations to prevent new HIV infections.
In addition, the Lubombo Regional AIDS Coordinator, Sabelo Khoza, called on parents to allow their children to access PrEP services and addressed concerns regarding intimate partner violence driven by the dependency of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) on older males. He noted, “The region is experiencing a rise in unplanned pregnancies and intergenerational s*x, which contribute to the spread of HIV alongside poverty. I encourage everyone, especially the youth, to exercise their rights to access health services and get tested for HIV.”
The event concluded with a candlelight ceremony led by NERCHA, symbolizing hope and remembrance for those affected by HIV/AIDS.