Mbabane – Eswatini reaffirmed its position as a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS as government, health sector leaders, and communities gathered to commemorate World AIDS Day under the global theme “Overcoming Disruptions, Transforming the AIDS Response.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula praised the country’s progress while urging sustained commitment and innovation to close remaining gaps.
Matsebula said that the day offers the nation an opportunity to reflect, celebrate achievements, and reaffirm its resolve to end AIDS. He highlighted that the health sector continues to carry the backbone of the national response.
“It remains evident that a strong, resilient, and sustainable health sector response to HIV is the main ingredient to winning the fight against HIV and AIDS,” he said.
Matsebula said that Eswatini’s global leadership in controlling the epidemic is the result of deliberate and sustained investments.
“Today, we stand tall as one of the global leaders in controlling the HIV epidemic. These achievements are not accidental,” he said, adding that Eswatini’s surpassing of the 95-95-95 targets demonstrates that epidemic control is possible even in a high-burden context.
He credited universal access to testing and treatment, robust laboratory systems, surveillance capacity and effective prevention programmes such as PrEP, elimination of mother-to-child transmission and differentiated service delivery models.
“Our treatment coverage among adults ranks among the highest globally,” he said.
Matsebula also paid tribute to health workers, describing their commitment as unwavering.
“They have delivered their interventions to the people over the years, and the baton has never been dropped since the beginning of the national response,” he said.
He further honoured those who died from AIDS-related illnesses and applauded people living with HIV for their resilience.
Communities, he added, remain central to sustaining this progress.
“Communities lead the way in early testing, adherence, support and stigma reduction,” he said, urging stronger linkages between facilities and communities to ensure that no one in any corner of our country is left behind.
Despite the progress, the minister cautioned that the road ahead remains demanding.
“While we celebrate the country’s remarkable progress, we must confront the undeniable truth that major challenges remain,” he said.
He noted that persistent HIV infections among adolescent girls, young women and vulnerable groups require intensified and modernised prevention efforts.
“New infections in this population remind us that prevention efforts must be tailored to meet the realities of those most at risk,” he noted.
Matsebula also highlighted the strain on health workers and called for increased investment to expand and retain the health workforce. He underscored the importance of strengthening domestic HIV financing to ensure uninterrupted essential services.
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