Africa-Press – Eswatini. “The Nation is informed that Government has taked drastic steps to reasolve the prevailing health crisis triggered by the shortage of drugs in the Government health system.”
This was announced by Prime Minister Russel Mmiso Dlamini today while he was away on his first international diplomatic trip as Prime Minister. He left the country for Dubai today at 9.30 am.
However, the PM issued a press statement this afternoon, revealed eight things government will do to quickly address the detoriating health crisis.
He said Cabinet convened on Monday, November 27, to come up with eight directives for the health sector.
The eight directives by Cabinet are aimed at improving the Central Medical Stores (CMS), capacitating the Mbabane Government Hospital, and intensifying the prosecution of corruption in the drugs supply chain, among others.
“The Ministry of Health must, with immediate effect, expedite the makeover of the Central Medical Stores (CMS), and its conversion to a semi-autonomous Government institution responsible for the acquisition, distribution, and disbursement of pharmaceuticals. The parastatal must have a world-class automated system to monitor and exert control on the entire supply chain,” said the PM.
“The new wing of the Mbabane Government Hospital, inclusive of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), will be operationalised for the provision of the critical health services, eventually reducing the large outflow of Government resources through Phalala Fund,” further announced the PM.
The PM also announced that the Ministry of Health will fill critical vacant positions necessary to optimise the Mbabane Government Hospital as a referral hospital.
“Renal Dialysis is prioritised with an immediate allocation of funds for the payment of service providers, for continuity as well as to enable an expansion of this critical service,” further announced the Prime Minister.
He also revealed that the department of Finance in the Ministry of Health will be to immediately strengthened to be responsive and proficient, and to meet the demands of the sector. Another changed he announced for the Ministry was that it will immediately intensify its strategic focus on preventative health by upscaling health promotion, as well as tackling the root causes of the identified major health problems. He also revealed that a Cabinet Subcommittee has been formed that will meet daily to ensure that the turnaround is implemented until the crisis is resolved.
“His Majesty’s Government is confident that the urgent implementation of these interventions will bring relief to the current crisis and, therefore, implores the public for support in any way possible,” concluded the Prime Minister in his statement.
It is anticipated that the implementation of these directives by Cabinet will go a long way in ensuring that the E2.6 billion health budget has optimum returns for the nation’s health dividend.
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