GOVT MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT LIVES OF EMASWATI MATTER

Sir,
 
Long before the unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic hit our kingdom, the appalling state of the health system was well documented. The unending cries of our healthcare workers on poor working conditions and lack of working tools had been the norm long before we knew of this virus.

Long queues at public hospitals and the shortage of drugs have become some of the hallmarks of the epic failure of our healthcare system.A quality health service has really become something of a luxury only within the reach of those who can afford the private sector alternative.

Failure

I really wish there was a way we could take stock of the bloodbath attributable to government’s failure in this regard so that we all get a sense of just how much, if at all, the life of an ordinary liSwati is worth, if we seriously consider government’s lackadaisical approach to the healthcare system. That a bulk of the budget that goes towards health comes from foreign sources tells a disturbing story of our commitment as a country to have a healthy nation.

Healthcare

The dereliction of duty we are seeing is the highest form of immorality that can ever be exhibited by a government. How do we leave healthcare to foreign sources? I was one of those who expected COVID-19 to wipe out a huge section of our society when we recorded our first case. This fear was informed by the state of our healthcare system. I expected it to crumble at the pressure of the pandemic.

When government failed to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) in time for healthcare workers, leading to a partial closure of some hospitals, my fears were heightened. But I think we did something right and for that we laud government for its efforts. It could, and should do more. We deserve far better.

Government must demonstrate that the lives of emaSwati matter. Projects with no immediate benefit to us must take a backseat. While infrastructure development is necessary, it really doesn’t make sense if the immediate health needs of the nation are not made top priority; there might be no one to benefit from the infrastructure when we are dead.
It’s time, as a nation, we work as much as we pray. Prayer alone will not be enough. Government must remember who they are working for.

Deserve

Let every liSwati feel it when every politician and civil servant goes to work, it is them (emaSwati) who they must think of as they go about their duties. I wish to reiterate that we all deserve the same treatment from government.
Healthcare is intimately connected with the right to life, guaranteed by Section 15 of the Constitution. We can’t be experiencing the same challenges over and over again; this needs to stop because if we were to quantify the effects of this, we would be shocked.

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