Texas Children's Global Health Baylor Foundation Eswatini

Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation – Eswatini, also known as Baylor Foundation Eswatini, is a self-governing, not-for-profit organization dedicated to child health and development. Established in 2005, the foundation collaborates with Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Eswatini Ministry of Health to strengthen the country’s healthcare response to HIV, tuberculosis, and other pediatric health challenges. It operates the Baylor College of Medicine – Bristol Myers-Squibb Children’s Clinical Center of Excellence (COE) in Mbabane, along with two Satellite Centers of Excellence (SCOEs) in Manzini and Shiselweni.

Baylor Foundation Eswatini leads national efforts in pediatric HIV/AIDS and TB care, supporting nearly half of all children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the country. The foundation’s scope has expanded to include maternal health, adolescent health programs, cancer screening, and non-communicable disease management. It integrates a family-centered approach, providing clinical services, education, and research to improve child and adolescent health outcomes.

Through innovative programs like Teen Clubs, maternal support groups, and tuberculosis research initiatives, the foundation enhances HIV prevention, treatment adherence, and viral load suppression. It also trains health professionals and contributes to the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, helping Eswatini move toward an HIV-free generation.

Visit Baylor Foundation Eswatini's Website

2024 at a Glance

20 Years in Operation, Mbabane, Eswatini

13,276 People Reached

924 Health Professionals Trained

127 Staff Employed

Voices of Hope: Stories of Strength, Healing, and Resilience

Teen testimony #1

As I grew up without parents, I came to Baylor Foundation Eswatini where I met parental figures through the good treatment there. Teen club taught me how to socialize and relate to other people. They empowered me such that I developed high self-esteem. I am so thankful because now I can stand on my own and face the world. My goal is to help other HIV positive young people who went through the same challenges I faced so they can overcome also.”

Teen testimony #2

I am a girl who was born positive with no future ahead of me because I thought everything was falling apart, my dreams just faded away. The mother of all nations, Baylor Foundation Eswatini, restored my hope. Now I am healthy Big Girl, thank you Baylor Foundation Eswatini for your love. You brought me up with care and support.”

2023 Annual Report

Explore the achievements, progress, and impact in Baylor Foundation Eswatini's latest report.

Read the Report

Notable Programs

Adolescents Living With HIV

Baylor Foundation Eswatini strengthens HIV prevention, treatment, and care for adolescents through innovative programs like Teen Clubs and Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS). In 2023, 613 adolescents received treatment literacy and psychosocial support, with 96% achieving viral load suppression. The foundation also conducted 193 home visits for adolescents who had defaulted on treatment, ensuring continued care. Transportation assistance and an interactive health app, U-Report, further support adherence and positive health outcomes.

Baby Club

Baylor Foundation Eswatini's Baby Club is a support group for HIV-positive mothers and their HIV-positive babies under five years old. The initiative provides psychosocial support, fostering developmental play to help children thrive. Mother-baby pairs gather monthly for education, support, and interactive activities at our centers. Since its launch in 2017, attendance has grown from 10 to 150 pairs in 2023. The program has expanded to our satellite clinics in Manzini and Hlatikhulu, with donor-supported transport and snacks enhancing participation.

Teen Mom Club

Established in 2019, the Teen Mom Club supports HIV-positive pregnant and lactating teenage mothers through psychosocial support, treatment adherence, and economic empowerment. Teen Health Assistants facilitate sessions, conduct follow-ups, and make home visits for defaulters. The program promotes viral suppression, prevents mother-to-child HIV transmission, and fosters financial independence through entrepreneurship training, savings groups, and seed capital for small businesses, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for young mothers.

Education For Cancer Prevention, Treatment And Care Project (ECPT)

The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation-funded Education for Cancer Prevention, Treatment, and Care Project (ECPT) continues to expand cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment in Eswatini. Baylor Foundation Eswatini leads this initiative, supporting cancer education, community screenings, and HPV vaccinations for adolescents. With strong Ministry of Health collaboration, the project integrates cancer screenings with non-communicable disease care, surpassing screening targets and increasing early detection and treatment access for breast and cervical cancer across the country.

TB Reach Project (Vikela Ekhaya)

Baylor Foundation Eswatini’s Vikela Ekhaya project enhances TB prevention through household contact management and early diagnosis. It strengthens community-based screening via Active Case Finders and integrates innovative diagnostic tools, including stool-based TB testing. The initiative builds healthcare worker capacity for pediatric TB sample collection and promotes TB preventive therapy, supporting national TB and HIV care strategies. Vikela Ekhaya contributes to reducing transmission and improving TB outcomes in Eswatini.

Discover more about our related programs:

Leadership & Partnerships

Leadership

Makhosazana M. Dlamini, M.B.A.

Executive Director

Partnerships

Kingdom of Eswatini (Ministry of Health)

Baylor College of Medicine

Texas Children’s Hospital

UNICEF

World Health Organization (WHO)

The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Peace Corps

ICAP at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health

Children's Palliative Care | The Rocking Horse Project

SeriousFun Children's Network

Swaziland Breast Cancer Network

Connect Health

CANGO (Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organizations)

Collaborative African Genomics Network (CAfGEN) - H3Africa

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

The Forum for African Women Educationalists Swaziland Chapter (FAWESWA)

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation

European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)

University of Texas School of Public Health

National TB Control Program (NTCP)

Lancet Laboratories

University of Eswatini

World Health Organization Supra-National Reference Laboratory in Borstel, Germany

Featured Stories

Global Health symposium draws more than 500 participants for an exchange of ideas on innovation

Texas Children’s Global Health Network, in partnership with the Baylor College of Medicine, hosted its first-ever virtual Research. Art. Innovation. Scholarship. Education (RAISE) Symposium from June 28 to July 2, drawing more than 500 registered participants from more than 20 countries across the world.

Breaking the HIV transmission cycle

One of the key successes of this initiative lies in educating the mothers, who in turn, share their knowledge with their communities and other HIV+ mothers.

Let’s not forget the most vulnerable children around the globe in the COVID-19 pandemic

Even if children are largely spared from COVID-19 direct effects, the pandemic will still cause long-lasting indirect impacts on children globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

_{Texas Children’s Global Health Network leads efforts that advance healthcare equity through innovative collaboration in care, education and research globally.}