BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE His Majesty King Mswati III has said to save lives and advance the end of the HIV pandemic and ensure that no one is left behind, his Government will continue to upscale HIV and other public health services.
This he said is to ensure that all emaSwati have equal access to these services, and continue to target the hard-to-reach and primarily discriminated populations.
His Majesty was speaking during a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly where he was represented by Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi.
“Celebrating, consolidating, and extending progress: How we can end AIDS, how it helps achieve the SDGs and to prepare and protect the world from future pandemics,” said His Majesty.
The King also cautioned of existing gaps that could reverse Eswatini’s achievements in the HIV and AIDS response.
His Majesty has further pledged the Government’s commitment to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat in Eswatini by 2030.
“I believe that the initiatives we have put in place will ensure that we sustain the gains and close the gaps for the 95-95-95 and ensure that the 95-95-95 agenda is rolled out at all levels, especially amongst all priority populations at risk of HIV,” said the King.
In addition he said there was no doubt that Eswatini’s successful strides in the HIV response would not have been possible without the continued and predictable funding and technical support from you all.
“We will continue investing domestic resources towards the procurement of Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), managing antiretroviral treatment, and comprehensive integration of the HIV response in all development agendas,”
“I pledge on behalf of the Kingdom of Eswatini to ascribe to the commitments in the UN General Assembly ‘Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending inequalities and getting on track to end AIDS by 2030′ as part of the global community,” said the King.
