Africa-Press – Eswatini. The outcry by Members of Parliament (MPs) to save The Luke Commission (TLC) from collapse has not fell in deaf ears as Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, has disclosed that the State has pledged to pump E10 million towards financing the institution’s operations during the 2025/2026 financial year.
In response to Nkhaba MP Hope Shiba’s submission during the budget debate where he expressed disappointment that no there was no mention of TLC in the budget speech, Rijkenberg pointed out that government remains committed to salvage TLC from collapse.
“A provision of E10 million has been made to assist TLC in the 2025/26 financial year and a supplementary budget of E20 million has been availed to support operations in 2024/25.
The ministry of health is working with TLC on a model on how the institution can be supported to ensure the health care system is strengthened,” said Rijkenberg.
Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu said stated that TLC offers specialised services to members of the public such as treatment of snake bites which were not offered by other health centres in the kingdom.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini having a good time with Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg in Parliament on Wednesday
Therefore, it ought to be supported financially.
“We appeal to PM for release of funds directed at the TLC since they were also approved by Parliament. As a country, we cannot allow for TLC’s collapse.
Where will the elderly from rural areas and people with snakebites be assisted because there are no such facilities at the public health centres especially at night,” wondered Ndlovu during 2025/2026 financial year budget debate by the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee for Private and Cabinet Office.
Sigwe MP Cruiser Ngcamphalala concurred with Ndlovu. He called upon the PM to ensure that TLC gets funding with immediate effect for restoration of full services.
“Let us support TLC, they play a crucial role in the kingdom’s health sector by assisting Emaswati especially those from rural areas,” Ngcamphalala emphasised.
Siphofaneni MP Nomalungelo Simelane also emphasised on the urgent need to issue funding for TLC. She further appealed for the PM’s intervention in the delivery of dialysis medication at the country’s health centres.
“It is not true that all dialysis medication has been delivered at the country’s health facilities.
May the PM see into it that the medication gets fully supplied to avert a situation where there could be more deaths as a result lacking dialysis medication,” Simelane urged.
TLC recently announced a decision to halt several outpatient services for patients aged 50 and older together with most in-patient services.
It was mentioned that this decision came into effect February 15, 2025.
One of the reasons advanced for pausing the services was the depletion of relief funds which had been issued by government.
It should be noted that TLC remains the only health facility which meets First World status in Eswatini and has always been flooded with many Emaswati as they were guaranteed to get all their medication, unlike the other public health facilities.
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