Africa-Press – Eswatini. When a young man in Mbabane was bitten by a dog this past weekend, his family faced a nightmare: the government hospital had no rabies vaccine in stock, and private facilities charged between E600 and E800 per dose. With five doses required, the costs soared to as high as E4 000, far beyond what the family could afford.
Time was against him. Medical guidelines emphasize that the first rabies vaccine dose must be administered within three days of exposure. By Monday, the third and final day, the patient had run out of options, slipping into panic as the risk of contracting rabies grew.
Desperate for a solution, the young man turned to Mbabane East Member of Parliament Welcome Dlamini, who immediately sought help beyond local means.
“As a leader, I could not sit back and watch a young life slip away simply because of financial challenges,” Dlamini said. “I knew I had to knock on every possible door until we found a solution.”
Dlamini reached out to His Excellency Kareem Ashraf, who responded with empathy and urgency. Moved by the situation, the diplomat personally ordered the vaccine from Johannesburg and arranged for it to be couriered into Eswatini the very same day.
“When I heard about this case, I knew time was critical,” His Excellency Ashraf said. “No one should lose their life to rabies when a vaccine exists. I was humbled to assist in whatever way I could.”
By 4:00 PM, the life-saving doses had arrived, and the patient received the treatment he so urgently needed.
This act of compassion, sparked by the quick intervention of an MP and fulfilled by the generosity of a diplomat, not only saved a life but also reminded the community of the power of kindness, leadership, and international goodwill.
While the shortage of rabies vaccines in public hospitals highlights a serious health system gap, the collaboration between a local leader and a global partner ensured that tragedy was averted.
For the family, it was nothing short of a miracle. For Eswatini, it is a story of hope, a reminder that even in moments of crisis, humanity can shine through.
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