Africa-Press – Eswatini. Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, and Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, have expressed satisfaction with the drug and medical supply levels at Hlathikhulu Government Hospital, which currently stand at 85%.
The two ministers toured the facility on Monday, September 15, 2025, as part of ongoing visits to assess healthcare service provision across the country. They commended the hospital management for ensuring efficient drug and supply management and applauded the staff for their customer-focused approach, noting that there had been few complaints from patients regarding service delivery.
The ministers said the tour aimed to assess the status, challenges, and opportunities within healthcare at different levels, with specific focus on drug availability, medical supplies, human resources, equipment, tools, and infrastructure. They pledged their support to both the Ministry of Health and the hospital to strengthen service delivery and help secure needed infrastructure upgrades.
While impressed with the overall performance of the facility, the ministers acknowledged existing challenges. Chief among them is staff shortages, which they said hinder efficiency. They assured the hospital’s administration that they would advocate for solutions to address these gaps and work to improve the broader health system of the country.
Eswatini’s health system has over the years undergone significant reforms, yet it continues to face notable challenges that affect service delivery across the country. From improving drug stock levels to strengthening the fight against communicable diseases, the Ministry of Health, supported by government and development partners, has worked to ensure that citizens have access to quality healthcare.
Historically, Eswatini’s health sector has been dominated by the struggle against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, which at one point placed the country among those with the highest prevalence rates globally. This burden forced the government to prioritise programmes around prevention, treatment, and long-term care. Over the years, strong investments in antiretroviral therapy and community health services have reduced HIV-related deaths and increased life expectancy. Immunisation coverage and maternal health programmes have also contributed to improved health indicators.
Despite these gains, the sector remains under pressure from multiple fronts. One of the persistent challenges is the shortage of healthcare professionals. Many health facilities, especially in rural areas, struggle with limited numbers of doctors, nurses, and specialists. This has led to long waiting times, heavier workloads for existing staff, and in some cases, service gaps.
Infrastructure remains another pressing concern. Several hospitals and clinics require urgent upgrades, while some communities still depend on dilapidated facilities that lack adequate equipment and medical tools. Although the government has made efforts to expand access, urban-rural disparities in healthcare remain wide.
Drug stock-outs have historically been a recurring issue, raising concerns about the reliability of the country’s supply chain system. However, in recent months, reports from health facilities such as Hlathikhulu Government Hospital – which recently confirmed 85% drug stock availability – indicate improvements in supply management. This progress has been credited to strengthened procurement processes and closer monitoring of medical supply distribution.
The government, through the Ministry of Health, has committed to tackling these systemic issues with Cabinet support. Recent tours of health facilities by ministers have highlighted the need for investment not only in medicines but also in human resources and infrastructure.
Looking forward, Eswatini’s health system stands at a crossroads: while strides have been made in disease control and drug supply management, the broader challenge of building a resilient, well-staffed, and modern healthcare network remains. For ordinary citizens, the expectation is clear — a health system that is accessible, reliable, and responsive to their needs.
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