Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has presided over a significant improvement in Eswatini’s life expectancy, which has risen from below 40 years in 1986 to 64 years. This was revealed by Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, who outlined the progress made in the country’s health sector since the King ascended the throne in 1986.
Matsebula said Government health facilities had grown to 120 nationwide, compared to far fewer facilities four decades ago. The figure excludes clinics and hospitals run by churches and other organisations.
Fight Against HIV/AIDS
The minister said shortly after the King assumed the throne, the country faced the growing threat of HIV/AIDS, which later became one of Eswatini’s greatest public health challenges.
He said the King responded decisively by seeking support from international health organisations and securing life-saving medication, including antiretroviral treatment.
Matsebula said the King consistently reminded the nation that HIV/AIDS was everyone’s concern and urged emaSwati, together with the country’s international friends, to care for one another.
Institutions such as National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) and Eswatini National AIDS Programme (SNAP) were later established to strengthen the national response.
He also credited the King for helping secure international funding to combat the epidemic.
Expanded Medical Services
Matsebula said Eswatini had also expanded specialised medical care, including psychiatric treatment and renal dialysis services.
Where local capacity was limited, he said the King ensured the creation of the Phalala Fund to assist citizens requiring treatment outside the country.
Mobile clinics were also introduced to improve access to healthcare in remote communities.
The minister noted that ambulance services, which were once scarce, had improved considerably over the years.
He added that Eswatini had strengthened primary healthcare systems, helping prevent diseases from entering the country and improving overall public health outcomes.
Improving Key Indicators
Matsebula said life expectancy remained one of the most important measures of a country’s health system, and the rise to more than 64 years showed clear national progress.
He also noted that many healthcare professionals, including doctors, were now emaSwati, unlike in previous decades when most specialists were recruited from abroad.
Maternal deaths, once estimated at around 580 per 100,000 live births, had fallen to below 118.
Mother-to-child HIV transmission, previously between 25 and 40 per cent, had declined to below two per cent.
Deaths of children under five, once around 180 per 1,000 live births, had dropped to below 40.
New HIV infections, previously six per cent, had decreased to 0.62 per cent.
Matsebula said whenever challenges arose in the health sector, the King continued to provide guidance and support.
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