Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Ministry of Health has honoured outstanding health facilities, programmes, and frontline workers during the 2025 Health Excellence Awards, held on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at The George Hotel in Manzini.
The auspicious ceremony celebrated institutions and professionals whose dedication, innovation, and compassion have significantly strengthened the nation’s health outcomes over the past year. The hall where the event was held, was packed to the rafters, as health workers from all parts of the country did not want to miss the first-ever event. They were also dressed to the nines, making sure that they enhanced the beauty of the event to make it memorable. It was an ecstatic occasion for the health practitioners.
The health workers and institutions were awarded by Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, who was the guest speaker at the event, who also delivered a keynote address, encouraging the health workers to continue discharging quality services to the public, despite the health challenges they could encounter, such as the drug challenge, which he said was being addressed by the Ministry of Health. Deputy Director of Health Rejoice Nkambule is the one who called upon the winners to the stage to collect their certificates of dedication and other prizes.
Others that awarded the health workers, alongside the minister, included Senator Princess Ntfombiyenkhosi. She did so in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Ministry of Health Portfolio Committee at Senate. Another awarder, alongside the minister was Somntongo Member of Parliament (MP) Sandile Nxumalo. He did that in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committtee of the Ministry of Health in the House of Assembly. MP Tsembeni Magongo was also among the awarders, as a member of the Ministry of Health Potfolio Committee in the House of Assembly.
The annual awards — adjudicated by an independent 2025 Judges Panel — recognise excellence across the health system, from major hospitals to community health workers in rural areas. This year’s results reflected remarkable performance nationwide, with several facilities achieving scores above 90 per cent.
Top Honours for Health Facilities
Manzini Government Hospital was crowned Best Tertiary Hospital with a strong score of 84.80%, outperforming fellow nominees Mbabane Government Hospital and the National Psychiatric Hospital. The award acknowledges exceptional leadership, patient care standards, infrastructure maintenance, and clinical performance.
In the Best Regional Hospital category, Good Shepherd Hospital emerged victorious with 80.50%, ahead of Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital and Mankayane Government Hospital. The hospital was recognised for its consistent service delivery, patient safety initiatives, and improved clinical outcomes.
Nhlangano Health Centre was awarded Best Health Centre, earning 85.70%. The facility excelled in service accessibility, staff performance, community outreach, and adherence to national health protocols.
One of the highest-scoring accolades of the evening went to Phocweni UEDF Clinic, which won Best Public Health Clinic with an impressive 92.80%. Judges praised the clinic’s efficiency, patient satisfaction levels, and innovative community-based services. MP Tsembeni Magongo was seen doing the Kugiya traditional dance among the awarders upon hearing that the health institution was recognised. She is a member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), which houses the Phocweni UEDF Clinic.
Programme Excellence and Workplace Safety
In the category of Best Ministry of Health Programme, the National Communicable Diseases (NCD) Programme claimed top position with 85.71%, surpassing strong competition from the Eswatini National AIDS Programme (ENAP) and the National TB Programme.
Matsanjeni Health Centre also walked away with a major honour as the Best Health Facility Implementing Health and Safety Initiatives. The award reflects its commitment to staff welfare, infection prevention, and maintaining a safe and hygienic environment for both workers and patients.
Recognising Individual Excellence
A highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of Sr Andrew Jele, who received the award for Best Health Individual Contributing to Health Outcomes at Facility Level, scoring 82.76%. Sr Jele was celebrated for exceptional dedication, clinical professionalism, and exemplary leadership in improving patient care within his facility.
Community Health Workers Shine
Community health workers—critical to Eswatini’s grassroots health outreach—also received well-deserved recognition.
Four regional champions were honoured:
Gugu Gama (Hhohho) – 96%
Phindile Hlatjwako (Manzini) – 97%
Lomagugu Khumalo (Lubombo) – 97%
Philisiwe Kunene (Shiselweni) – 97%
Their high scores reflect tireless service in remote communities, supporting households, promoting prevention, and linking people to essential health services.
The Ministry of Health commended all winners and nominees for their unwavering dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of the nation. The awards, officials noted, serve not only as recognition but also as motivation for continued excellence as Eswatini strives for a more resilient, equitable, and people-centred health system.
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