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Swaziland predicted extinction due to HIV / AIDS
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The stock of drugs for HIV treatment in hospitals in Swaziland will last no more than two months. The head of the Swaziland Ministry of Health, Benedict Xaba, stated this at a meeting of the local parliament. In this regard, patient organizations predicted a sharp decline in the population of the country.
Swaziland health facilities provided antiretroviral drugs to HIV-infected patients for free. However, in connection with the ongoing economic crisis in the country, the authorities decided to suspend funding for state institutions, including hospitals.
Currently, more than 60,000 Swaziland residents receive antiretroviral therapy. Ksaba urged compatriots suffering from HIV infection not to lose hope. According to him, the authorities began negotiations on granting foreign loans, due to which it will be possible to fill the state budget.
The head of the Swaziland organization of patients living with HIV and AIDS, Thembi Nkambule, recalled that from 2005 to 2011 the number of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy increased fourfold. According to her, the lack of medicines will significantly reduce the achieved indicators. "Swazi will die in large numbers, hope will be lost," Nkabule said.
In Swaziland, which has a population of about a million people, the highest proportion of people living with HIV is found among all countries in the world. About 40% of adults in the African country are infected with the virus of immunodeficiency. The average life expectancy of the population has halved since 2000 and does not exceed 32 years.
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