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KING APPLAUDS SUPPORT IN FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS

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NEW YORK – His Majesty King Mswati III has extended the country’s appreciation to PEPFAR and other funders for the impact their support has made in the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge in the kingdom.


PEPFAR  is the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. In brief remarks as a guest at a reception celebrating global progress towards the epidemic control of HIV/AIDS, His Majesty highlighted that the success achieved by the kingdom would not have been possible without the support of PEPFAR, the Global Fund, the UN and other development partners.


Government has been able to enroll more than 65 per cent of people who are living with HIV on treatment, which is seen as a big achievement as four out of five people living with HIV can access treatment and live productive lives.


The effect of this has been reflected in the results of the recent Swaziland HIV incidence measurement survey (SHIMS 2), which indicate that the country has achieved 90 per cent  viral load suppression among adults living with HIV.


The country has also managed to reduce by nearly half, the HIV incidence level between 2011 and 2016.
His Majesty, who declared during the State of the Nation address in 2014, his commitment to an AIDS free Swaziland by 2030, said the country has demonstrated that it has potential to meet this target. He further said the challenge for government is to keep the momentum, address complacency and sustain funding for treatment and re-invest in HIV prevention.
The event was held on the sidelines of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly Debate which His Majesty was expected to address yesterday evening.

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