Times Of Swaziland: STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH SECTOR OF ESWATINI

STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH SECTOR OF ESWATINI
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Editor on 25/03/2021 08:04:00


Sir,
In the past few months, we have seen many COVID-19-related deaths of emaSwati.
While they may have been infected, the fact remains that they would have
survived if our hospitals were up to standard. Because of the hospitals being
dysfunctional, many have lost their lives unnecessarily over the years. Rich and
influential individuals are also becoming victims because the pandemic has
essentially halted medical tourism to developed countries. The rich can no
longer fly out of the country for medical treatment as they used to. The
COVID-19 pandemic should be providing an opportunity to make our hospitals work
for everyone. Many people died because of delayed treatments, particularly
caused by lack of a functional medical emergency management system in the
country.
Looting
The pandemic would have been managed better by government, but unfortunately it
has allowed the looting of public funds. And how can we justify spending two
thirds of the total 2021 budget on security when we have a pandemic? There is
another E200 million lying idle that is now knocked up and down like a football
which could be used to revive the health sector and fix hospitals. We are told
that this money is for the procurement of a vaccine. COVID-19 is real and it
must be contained. But it’s not the only dangerous disease in Eswatini.
Response
In the country, cancer, pregnancy-related diseases and road accidents, among
others, kill many people every year. Therefore, a disproportionate use of the
nation’s scarce resources for the largely ineffective COVID-19 response, while
the weak health sector keeps failing people, is unjustifiable to say the least.
The E200 million should rather be used to strengthen primary healthcare and help
local researchers to manufacture vaccines and other health commodities. This
pandemic provides a golden opportunity for strengthening Eswatini’s health
sector. I believe the people of Eswatini can help change the narrative we have,
take the responsibility to hold our leaders accountable and drive the change we
desire.