Cabrini Outreach Annual Report 2020-21 International development
Cabrini Missionaries St Philip's Mission, Eswatini Cabrini Outreach partners with Cabrini Ministries Eswatini (CME) — a Catholic faith-based and community-based not-for-profit organisation operating from St Philip’s Mission in the Lubombo lowveld region of Eswatini. Cabrini Ministries’ services are designed to respond to the needs of the vulnerable local communities, where the average life expectancy is 58-59 years, and around 63 per cent of people live below the poverty line. Delivery of services is primarily achieved through four integrated departments: healthcare, childcare, education, and family services. With funding and support from Cabrini Outreach, Cabrini Ministries is contributing to improving health outcomes largely through targeted prevention, treatment, care and support services relating to HIV. Since June 2020, CME has provided support to more than 19,000 people in the surrounding communities to help them stay safe and learn about the newest threat to their health, COVID-19. While the pandemic has caused jobs and income to be lost and schools to be closed with limited education throughout 2020-21, with additional COVID-19 support from Cabrini Outreach they have been able to maintain services and vital health indicators, including the management of thousands of HIV client with zero deaths. Staff were able to maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) at best-practice standards, however, four Cabrini clients sadly passed away as a result of the virus. 26
While HIV/AIDS remains an issue in Eswatini, Cabrini Ministries has developed an international reputation for effective treatment initiation and compliance. Cabrini Ministries continues to provide a comprehensive primary care health service as they continue to turn around the HIV pandemic in the country, with improved access to HIV testing and provision of free antiretroviral treatment. Over the past year 100 per cent of clients were screened for HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and non-communicable diseases (NCD), and 2326 clients were enrolled in their HIV treatment program. 1628 clients accessed NCD treatment services from the facility. Recognising the critical link between cervical cancer and HIV, Cabrini Ministries continues to prioritise the surveillance, screening, testing and treatment of cervical cancer — targeting women who have tested HIV positive and are on ART. A total of 452 female clients were screened for cervical cancer over the last financial year, and 22 received preventative care. More than 16,000 clients were reached with health education at clinic in 15 communities, and 69 people living with disabilities were monitored and provided with consultations.
Eswatini tackling HIV crisis amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its small population, Eswatini has the highest prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 49 in the world.
