Times Of Swaziland: US WITHDRAWAL FROM WHO TO AFFECT ESWATINI

US WITHDRAWAL FROM WHO TO AFFECT ESWATINI
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Editor on 23/01/2025 07:57:00


Sir,
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has undoubtedly placed a tremendous strain on the
infrastructure and economies of our country and Africa at large.
Our government has often been forced to prioritise health spending over other
critical areas, sometimes leading to under-funded public services and
infrastructure.
This leads to a notion that looks at government as a poor service provider. It
is also true that pharmaceutical companies have significantly profited from the
sales of antiretroviral drugs and other treatments.
The cost burden often falls disproportionately on developing countries like
ours, which may struggle to afford these essential medicines without external
assistance. Developed countries and pharmaceutical companies do benefit
financially, which can create a sense of imbalance and frustration. The notion
that funding for health in many African countries is more of a profit-driven
endeavour rather than genuine support is echoed by many who have witnessed the
challenges firsthand. There is certainly a need for greater accountability and
transparency in how global health funds are allocated and spent. The US
withdrawal from the WHO could indeed mark a new dawn for Eswatini, but it could
go either way.
Re-evaluate
On one hand, it might be an opportunity for Eswatini and African countries to
re-evaluate their health strategies and build more self-sufficient systems. On
the other, it could mean a significant reduction in the resources and support
that these countries rely on, potentially exacerbating existing health
challenges. What remains crucial is that any future health policies and
interventions must prioritise the well-being of people over profits. For our
country to truly benefit, there must be a concerted effort to develop
sustainable health systems that are less dependent on external funding and more
focused on local needs and solutions.
My perspective calls for a more equitable and just approach to global health.
Balancing natural immunity, scientific advancements and the socio-economic
realities of developing nations, even though it’s no small task, but it is an
essential one for creating a healthier future for all. The question remains, in
a civilised world, do we still need health as a world policy? Or it must be shut
down like asbestos as a world product, considering the harm health causes in the
world under the pretence of help?
Eugene Howe