Times Of Swaziland: KING TO LEAD FIGHT FOR AN AIDS-FREE SD BY 2022

KING TO LEAD FIGHT FOR AN AIDS-FREE SD BY 2022
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BY MUSA SIMELANE on 20/02/2015 04:14:00


LOBAMBA – His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday made a bold declaration that
he will personally make sure that Swaziland is HIV/AIDS free when it reaches the
First World status.
This means that the country will be free of the epidemic in seven years time if
Vision 2022 is to be referred to here. The King made this bold statement at the
official opening of the second session of the 10th Parliament yesterday.
He also categorically denounced all HIV stigma and discrimination saying that it
must completely come to an end in Swaziland. These assertions were met with
deafening cheers by Members of Parliament (MPs) as they were pleasantly
surprised.
The King drew attention to the fact that the kingdom was now well positioned to
become one of the first African countries with a generalised epidemic in order
to attain an AIDS-free generation. And, it was highly commendable that the
country was considered among the top-20 countries that have made major strides
in combating HIV and AIDS.
“The recent years have seen huge reductions in the number of people who are
newly infected with HIV, while more people in need of the treatment are
receiving it and are enjoying a longer life,” he pointed out.
For this positive trend, His Majesty expressed gratitude to the Global Fund for
its contribution, as well as all the institutions and individuals, who made
significant financial and technical contribution towards helping Swaziland to
achieve these results. While the world’s scientists were busy searching for a
cure for HIV, His Majesty encouraged all Swazis to continue playing their part
in preventing new infections.