Swaziland Extends New Start VCT Network

MATSAPHA, Swaziland, May 12, 2005 — PSI/Swaziland has expanded the reach and health impact of its Calakabusha (New Start) voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) network of six VCT providers by opening two more sites in the urban centers of Mbabane and Matsapha.

The Mbabane site, centrally located near the bus stop in the capital city, has the potential to attract many people. The Matsapha site is located among over 1,000 factories, targeting factory workers with a strong workplace outreach component.

Increasing informed demand for and access to high quality VCT is essential in Swaziland, the country with the world's highest HIV prevalence rate. Since 2002, prevalence has climbed six percent to 42.6%, according to preliminary Ministry of Health data taken from pregnant women visiting prenatal clinics in 2004. Final results are scheduled to be released in May.

The National Emergency Response to HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) has estimated there are 220,000 HIV-positive Swazis, which would correspond to a 20 percent prevalence figure for a population of about one million people.

PSI is working with NERCHA and the Swaziland National AIDS Program (SNAP) to develop VCT communications messages to increase informed demand for VCT services nationwide. The campaign includes 55 events sensitizing rural and urban populations at the Inkhundla (or constituency) level about the importance of knowing one's HIV status.

The official opening of the Matsapha and Mbabane sites was blessed by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare Sipho Shongwe, U.S. Ambassador Lewis W. Lucke and Dr. Melanie Duckworth of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ambassador mentioned that the U.S. government has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a "top priority in U.S. foreign policy." He encouraged Swaziland to use VCT services as they are a crucial component in the fight against the pandemic. Minister Shongwe stated that a large proportion of Swazi will benefit from the VCT network and that it will have a great impact on the national roll out of antiretroviral drugs.

"Hope and optimism are beginning to conquer fear and despair in Swaziland," said Dr. Duckworth. PSI/Swaziland Program Manager Babazile Dlamini said the launch "marked the accomplishment of a landmark in increased quality VCT services in Swaziland."

— Dvora Joseph, AIDSMark, PSI/Washington and Victoria Masuku, PSI/Swaziland

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PSI/Swaziland has opened two additional New Start voluntary HIV testing and counseling (VCT) centers in the urban centers of Matsapha and the captial Mbabane (seen here). Complementing educational campaigns will increase awareness and motivate people to learn their HIV status.