Swaziland’s Prime Minister, Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, has launched the country’s Umgubudla HIV Investment Case, which aims to implement King Mswati III’s vision of ending the country’s AIDS epidemic by 2022. Umgubudla means roadway or water stream.
The investment case identifies five areas for prioritized high-impact action: accelerating access to HIV treatment; increasing the number of voluntary medical male circumcision procedures; expanding HIV prevention programmes for adolescent girls; the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; and managing coinfection cases of HIV and tuberculosis.
Mr Dlamini launched the new strategy during the country’s first National AIDS Conference, which was organized by Swaziland’s National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS and the Ministry of Health and was held from 12 to 14 July. Partners included the Swaziland AIDS Research Network, UNAIDS, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.
“Swaziland’s Umgubudla HIV Investment Case translates the King’s vision of achieving an AIDS-free generation into concrete, time-bound and clear action that will significantly reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths through feasible, cost-effective and sustainable measures.”
Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini Prime Minister of Swaziland
“This national conference is very timely as it happens just after the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, where leaders renewed their commitment by adopting an ambitious Political Declaration on Ending AIDS to accelerate global efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”
Michel Sidibé UNAIDS Executive Director
