Africa-Press – Eswatini. Health authorities have intensified calls for routine medical screening, urging emaSwati to take responsibility for their health through the Know Your Numbers campaign, aimed at improving early detection of disease, reducing treatment costs, and promoting longer and healthier lives during the World Health Day commemoration in Mbabane.
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula said the campaign is a national call to action for preventive care, regular checkups, and treatment adherence. “On this day, we also reaffirm the ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign, encouraging every liSwati to take responsibility for their health through regular medical check-ups, adherence to treatment, and preventive care,” Matsebula said.
He said the initiative reflects a wider recognition of health as a key national investment that supports productivity and economic performance, while acknowledging the contribution of private sector partners through corporate social responsibility programmes.
“These efforts have not been in vain. They reflect a growing recognition that health is a vital investment in human capital, one that underpins productivity and drives economic performance,” he said.
Health Programme Unit (HPU) official Calvin Dlamini warned that late detection continues to drive higher treatment costs and poorer outcomes, stressing that early screening remains essential. “When we screen early and diagnose early, the costs are much lower compared to someone diagnosed very late in life,” Dlamini said.
He added that many conditions develop without visible symptoms, making routine screening a critical public health tool rather than an optional exercise. The campaign also places strong focus on mental wellbeing, with officials noting that uncertainty about one’s health status increases stress levels.
“What you don’t know usually stresses you. When you know your numbers, you receive support and guidance, and that helps even with mental health,” he said.
Government has encouraged annual health checks, with twice-yearly screening recommended where possible, alongside strict adherence to medical advice after diagnosis.
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula also highlighted ongoing outreach services in Mbabane, where free cancer screening programmes are being conducted to improve early detection and bring preventive healthcare closer to communities, reinforcing the shift towards routine health monitoring as part of everyday life.
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