We collaborate with numerous partners to increase voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) uptake among adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) ages 15 and above as a mechanism for HIV prevention and epidemic control in Eswatini. VMMC is proven to be effective in preventing new HIV infections, curbing the HIV epidemic.
PEPFAR/USAID AND GLOBAL FUND THROUGH CHAPS, PEPFAR/CDC THROUGH ICAP AND GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY.
ESWATINI
2015-2022
As a community-based implementing partner, Bantwana generates demand for VMMC services by identifying eligible ABYM and raising awareness of VMMC and linking those who are ready for the procedure, to government or clinical partner-managed VMMC centers. Bantwana’s VMMC work is layered onto and leverages long-standing community relations and related programming.
Since the inception of our VMMC demand generation initiatives in 2015, Bantwana has successfully linked 7,722 ABYM to VMMC services. Nearly 1,000 of these successful referrals were mobilized through Bantwana’s adapted VMMC demand generation model at the peak of COVID-19 in 2021.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, our vaccine mobilizers also engage our beneficiaries and their families on COVID-19 safety measures, address vaccine hesitancy, and provide linkages to vaccination centers.
Our VMMC clinical partners include government hospitals and clinics, and private clinics such as those offered through Medglobe Clinic, Georgetown University, Centre for HIV/AIDS Prevention Studies (CHAPS), ICAP, PSI and Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAS).
