UN Staff Celebrate World AIDS Day Virtually

On Thursday the 25th of February 2021, UNAIDS hosted a virtual celebration of World AIDS Day with and for UN staff and personnel under the theme “Global Solidarity, a shared responsibility”. The celebration explored healthy-living with HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19; prevention, treatment and myths regarding the three diseases. The event was hosted by Ms Rose Craigue, Country Director of UNAIDS, who addressed the significant achievements made by the country and the challenges that remain, as Eswatini battles to fight the HIV and AIDS epidemic amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Despite the country’s significant achievement of the 95- 95-95 target, 10 years ahead of all other nations, the AIDS emergency is not over. Eswatini has the highest HIV prevalence in the world at 27.3 percent, representing 205,700 people living with HIV. It is estimated that HIV infections are higher among young people aged 15 to 24, and affects mostly young girls, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 the hardest.

Addressing staff concerns and raising awareness on living with HIV, TB and COVID-19, guest-speaker, Dr Advocate Dlamini, shared ways in which one may maintain good health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this regard, “healthy-living” was explained as thinking positively, feeling good, exercising regularly and eating better: all of which are significant to maintaining good health when living with HIV, TB and COVID-19. Dr Dlamini highlighted the need for persons living with HIV and TB to continue routine HIV testing and counselling, and adhering to Anti-Retroviral Treatment throughout the pandemic. Dr Dlamini noted the significant similarities between TB and COVID-19 symptoms, and therefore highlighted the necessity for patients exhibiting symptoms of either disease to seek diagnosis and treatment.

Mr. Victor Nkambule, Chairman of the UN Eswatini Federation of Staff Associations, shared with UN staff the work of the UN Cares Team, noting that it offers all UN personnel and their families confidential counselling and testing for HIV and COVID-19, free condoms and treatment for those living with HIV: a treatment that is covered by UN staff insurance.

“I encourage you all to make use of this support-system, as the health of UN personnel and their families, is more important than anything,” stated the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, in her closing remarks. “Solidarity and a shared responsibility prove to be our greatest weapons in these battles against the COVID-19 and HIV pandemics, as no one is safe until everyone is safe. Leaving people behind is therefore not an option if we are to succeed”. “As we reflect on today’s discussions on healthy-living, HIV and TB during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded of our commitment in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025), to support the Government and the people of Eswatini to move towards a prosperous, just and resilient Eswatini where no one is left behind.

Only global solidarity and shared responsibility will help us beat the coronavirus and end the AIDS epidemic. However, this solidarity begins with you and me: as One UN Family.

Let us take hope and courage today that, indeed, it can be done” closed Ms Ndongo-Seh.