Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Reuters NewMedia - December 16, 2004
"The army is experiencing a rise in HIV/AIDS-related illnesses and deaths, and this has adverse effects on the overall mission and preparedness, and may eventually lead to insecurity in the country," the Royal (Swaziland) Defense Force said in a policy statement.
An army spokesman said all army personnel -- including the country's air controllers that are part of the military -- would undergo blood testing in order to enforce the new policy.
Activists slammed the move as discriminatory and also said it would lead to a staffing crisis in the military.
"Army recruitment is likely to suffer, because HIV testing is unpopular, and in Swaziland it is taboo to acknowledge that you are HIV-positive. The army will face a manpower crisis," AIDS activist Thulani Simelane told Reuters.
AIDS denial is still prevalent in Swaziland where nearly 40 percent of the sexually active population between 15 and 49 years of age are HIV positive.
Because of the secrecy surrounding AIDS, no data is available on the number of AIDS-related deaths in 2004, though Swazi health organizations say these have grown substantially.
UNICEF, the United Nations agency that deals with children's affairs, says Swaziland has 69,000 AIDS orphans, a figure that is forecast to double by 2010. Swaziland has a population of just 1 million people.
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