Thousands Get Assistance From Lamvelase HIV/AIDS Center
The LaMvelase Help Centre, which provides HIV and AIDS services free of charge to the City of Manzini continues to be the preferred destination by those who seek such services. The facility is manned by Aids Health Foundation (AHF) together with other Council partners. At least 538 people, male and female, received voluntary counselling and testing services. At least 14, 982 patients received Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) related services from the clinic. The facility also continued to manage the urban social centres where children up to 18 years of age receive a meal per day.
There are eight social centres in total and are located at Ngwane Park Extension, Zakhele, Masekweni, Moneni, Mangwaneni, Murray Camp, Ticancweni and Old Zakhele. Residents, the business sector, churches and other organisations are encouraged to support these social centres through donations. The LaMvelase Help Centre also performs a condom distribution function throughout the city. It carries out this task through assistance from volunteers and the Eswatini Aids Support Organisation (EASO). A total of 54, 170 condoms were distributed in January 2019 alone.
The LaMvelase Help Centre also provides Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) services in the city. This programme is meant to ensure infants are protected from contracting HIV from their mothers. At least 121 clients were reached through this programme last month alone. Furthermore, 34 households were reached by PMTCT volunteers through door-to-door visits.
