SWAZILAND: Government not doing enough - Catholic Church

The HIV/AIDS Office of the South African Catholic Bishop's Conference on Tuesday called on the Swazi government to do more in the fight against HIV/AIDS. A recent government report estimated that 38.6 percent of Swazi adults were HIV positive, one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world. "The issue of HIV/AIDS has fallen away from high-profile news coverage in Swaziland because of the government directing its attention more towards the country's political dilemma," spokesman for the Diocese of Manzini, Larry McDonnell, told the UN news service PlusNews. The government has in recent months come under fire from NGOs, trade unions and the international community for alleged human rights abuses and its failure to adhere to the rule of law. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini has said HIV/AIDS treatment would be available in provincial hospitals in February. "The government still has to make good on promises made early in 2002 for the access of HIV/AIDS treatment for pregnant women," Mcdonnell said.