PM’S TRANSFER: EMASWATI LOSE FAITH IN HEALTH SYSTEM

MBABANE – EmaSwati have lost faith in the country’s healthcare system!

While Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini’s transfer to South Africa to fast-track his recovery from COVID-19 has been met with worry, confusion and despair; it has also seen some of emaSwati expressing their bitterness towards the country’s collapsing healthcare system.

“Why would the PM be taken to South Africa if we had a good healthcare system in the country?” questioned others, expressing their concern.

The debate on the country’s healthsystem was sparked by a statement released by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, which said Dlamini had been ferried to South Africa to fast-track his recovery.

Recovery

While some people wished Dlamini a speedy recovery, others expressed their concern on this transfer, stating that this was a perfect interpretation of the fact that Eswatini’s health system was far from being of good standard. 

“United States of America (USA) President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 and he was treated in his country. South Africa Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize also tested positive for the coronavirus and he was also treated in his country. Now look at us, our premier had to be flown to SA.

“What does this say about us as a country? Don’t we trust the resources that we have? What if a person in his condition did not have the resources or power?” some people asked when reacting to the news.

It should be noted that the newsroom was inundated with calls from the public, reacting to the PM’s transfer to SA.

Some noted that the statement by the DPM was confusing because it was mostly patients who were gravely ill who were usually sent to SA.

“There is no transparency in his (PM’s) condition,” they alleged.

Former Ntondozi Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Ngwenya expressed his worry after learning about the PM’s transfer to SA for medical attention, stating that this was a cause for concern.

“The PM’s transfer to South Africa will make people lose confidence in our hospitals. The move also makes us question our worth as emaSwati. Many people are asking themselves if they would have been able to get treated in other countries if their condition got worse. Does this mean that the best treatment cannot be sourced in the country and be provided for by our government?” asked Ngwenya.

The former MP said emaSwati were taxpaying citizens, who deserved efficient medical attention, similar to the one received by the PM.

“I am almost 60 years old and I have never seen Eswatini like this. The healthcare system is really bleeding. We fork out hefty amounts every day since Eswatini Revenue Authority was established. 

“It is generally expected that service delivery in the country should have improved with the taxes that we are now paying,” said Ngwenya.

Medication

He said it was saddening to read almost every other week that medication had depleted in public healthcare facilities while citizens of the country were paying tax. Ngwenya said it was also heart-wrenching to see that many lives were lost or compromised due to fuel shortage.

“People lost their lives, others were raped and some died due to snakebites because there was no fuel. The sad part is that the very same government claimed they saved E30 million in those months. Yes, they saved money but not lives,” said the former MP. 

He also said the health system was bruised by this and there was no reason for government to pride itself in saving. “The country has the worst healthcare system. We are worse off because this country does not prioritise its finances,” he said. 

Human Rights Lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi echoed Ngwenya’s opinion, saying the country’s health system was in shambles. 

“The frontline workers were right all along. We need, as a country, to take radical steps to fix our health system for it to function properly,” said Nhlabatsi. 

He also said the PM’s transfer to seek medical attention in SA was not a good move.  “I was personally shocked and felt scared when I heard he was airlifted to SA as I concluded that he was in a critical state. That said, one wishes the PM a speedy recovery,” said Nhlabatsi.  

Another liSwati who spoke on condition of anonymity said they wished him a speedy recovery and were praying to God to bring him back in good health, though she said they found it shameful that the best option was to fly him out of the country. 

“It really is shameful. Private citizens opting to seek medical help in other countries do not owe the public any explanation, because it is their own affairs, but for a politician, a whole prime minister for that matter, to leave, is a completely different case and a big cause for concern. This is because they are responsible for the development of proper healthcare systems for the citizens of their country. 

“It is really sad that he appears to lack confidence in the health system he oversees. May he recover soon though so he comes back to sort this leaking roof in our health system,” she said.

Another citizen said it was really concerning that the PM’s condition had deteriorated such that he had to leave the country for medical attention. 

“With the understanding that government had invested so much into treatment for COVID-19 patients, it was shocking, to say the least, that he had to be flown out. It is a vote of no confidence in our health system,” he said. Khanyisile Mabuza’s opinion differed as she said the country’s health system was trustworthy when it came to the pandemic. 

“When I compare our statistics with those of other countries, I sincerely think it is adequate. I will not, however, link the transfer of the PM to my statement. He could have developed other complications that required other specialists. I know he would not be taken elsewhere for something the country has been evidently handling well,” said Mabuza.

Extensive

Others agreed with Mabuza, stating that many people had been treated at the Lubombo Referral Hospital and the premier’s transfer meant he needed extensive care.

“Well, firstly, when we heard that he was sick it was proof to us that COVID-19 was not really ‘found’ where they thought it was as one could contract it anywhere. As for him being flown out, he is an important person in the country who has national responsibilities and needs the best medical care he can possibly get to be fit to handle his duties as PM. 

“Also, it could, from another person’s point of view, make our own health system seem below par because nobody in the country would be able to assist him. This is an eye-opener for government to look into the underlying reasons regarding the lack of efficient medical care,” they said.

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