By Ncaba Ntshakala
Eswatini and the United States of America’s five decades-long friendship is yielding results following the US Department of Defence (DOD) HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme.
The programme which is run through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), under the University Research Co (URC), donated a clinic staff accommodation block to the Phocweni military clinic, valued at E4 million.
The handover ceremony, orchestrated by the US Embassy in Eswatini, marked the culmination of extensive efforts aimed at enhancing healthcare infrastructure in the region.
The state-of-the-art renovated medical unit barrack building, graciously provided by the US government, now serves as a vital hub for 48 essential healthcare workers dedicated to serving the Phocweni clinic and its surrounding communities.
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Speaking at the ceremony, the US Embassy expressed pride in collaborating with the Eswatini government, Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), URC, Microprojects, and the local community to rehabilitate these structures, ensuring that the clinic can continue delivering high-quality medical care.
Frontline medical workers, who form the backbone of healthcare delivery, stand to benefit immensely from this transformative renovation. During the handover, military officials expressed that 80 per cent of those receiving services at Phocweni clinic are civilians.
And they shared how the clinic has been benefitting emaSwati. The US Embassy stated that this highlighted the critical role played by healthcare workers in nurturing the health and well-being of emaSwati.
US Ambassador Caitlin Piper stated that the donation of the accommodation block expresses the commitment of the US government, through PEPFAR, to fostering a safe and conducive working environment for all healthcare professionals, thereby advancing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and promote the overall health of the nation.
Army Commander Lieutenant General Mashikilisane Fakudze hailed the renovated Phocweni Clinic as a boon not only for soldiers but also for members of the surrounding community. The expanded and upgraded facilities are set to enhance access to quality healthcare services, benefiting both military personnel and civilians alike.
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The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, enabled by strong bipartisan support across ten U.S. congresses and four presidential administrations, and through the American people’s generosity.
PEPFAR is managed and overseen by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy. PEPFAR leverages the power of a whole-of-government approach to controlling the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
PEPFAR is implemented by seven other U.S. government departments and agencies: the U.S Agency for International Development; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Service Administration and the National Institutes of Health; the U.S. Department of Defense; the Peace Corps; the U.S. Department of Labor; the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
