By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Dr Thambo Gina, the Minster of Economic Planning and Development has lied before the 58th Session of the Commission for Population and Development held in New York this week, saying “citizens are receiving medical care in eSwatini”.

But the reality on the ground suggests that, eSwatini is facing a health crisis amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, dozens have died since the crisis erupted.

Speaking through Principal Secretary(PS) Thabsile Mlangeni, the Economic Planning and Development Minister said, the Kingdom of Eswatini has made significant progress in improving the health and well-being of its people, despite challenges within the health sector. 

“The Kingdom of Eswatini recognises health as a critical driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. As such, health remains a top priority in the national development agenda, firmly embedded in our Constitution, which guarantees health as a fundamental human right. Eswatini has made substantial progress in improving the health of its people. Notably, we have seen a significant decline in mortality rates. Infant mortality dropped from 53 per 1 000 live births in 2014 to 35 in 2021–22. Likewise, the under-five mortality rate declined from 74 to 41 over the same period. These achievements reflect sustained investments in maternal, new-born, and child health,” said the Economic Planning Minister as quoted by Government online platforms.

Mayibongwe Masangwane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union(SWADNU) previously told this Swaziland News that, the country continues to face shortage of drugs in public hospitals.