LOBAMBA: Marwick Khumalo, the Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament(MP) came hard on Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi over the shortage of drugs in the various Government Hospitals.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, the the MP accused the Minister of dereliction of duties in that, she failed to address the health crisis that resulted to dozens of Swazis dying.
“Recently, before the winter, many people died of snake bites because there is no medication, what is the Minister doing about this?”, said the MP.
The Lobamba Lomdzala MP was supported by Manzini North MP Macford Sibandze who emphasized that people were dying in hospitals due to the shortage of medication, he questioned why the Minister of Health was silent amid the health crisis.
“As MPs, we are broke because everyday people are calling us asking for money to buy medication. Then you ask yourself, why are we failing to address the health crisis and provide the medication instead of praising the Luke Commission,” said the Manzini North MP.
Responding to the MPs concerns, Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi said apart from the shortage of drugs, one of the challenges faced by the Ministry of Health was the shortage of human resources.
“One of the challenges faced by the Health Ministry is the shortage of staff, nurses are leaving the country for overseas jobs like in England.As we speak, there are five hundred and fourteen(514) vacant positions within the Ministry of Health. We hope we will work collectively as Cabinet towards addressing this crisis,” said the Health Minister.
MPs Marwick Khumalo and Macford Sibandze.