MBABANE – The Oncology Department of the Manzini Government Hospital risks remaining underutilised if the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Bill 2024 is not enacted into law.
The Bill is intended to enable the full operation of the hospital’s cancer wing, which is in demand to assist cancer patients, particularly given the challenges often faced by the Phalala Fund.
The Cancer Hospital, located where the former National TB Hospital stood, has been converted into a cancer treatment hospital by government.
With assistance from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF), a key funder, state-of-the-art equipment and staff training have been significant contributions, enabling the hospital to function.
Over E20 million has been contributed by the BMSF towards various projects within the health sector. The hospital began operating in March 2022. Before that, cancer patients requiring chemotherapy and other related services sought treatment elsewhere.
The Bill, which is expected to change cancer treatment in the country, awaits passing in Senate. Despite the unit being fully constructed, it could potentially become a white elephant, according to Somntongo Member of Parliament (MP) Sandile Nxumalo, because the parliamentary process leading to its enactment is incomplete.
This is a source of frustration for local cancer patients, as, according to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Eswatini Annual Report, once operational, the Oncology Unit will reduce dependency on costly overseas referrals, particularly benefitting women and low-income patients who previously faced barriers to accessing specialised oncology care.
The Bill is a collaborative effort between three ministries: Health, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Natural Resources and Energy. When reached for clarification, Portfolio Committee Chairperson under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, confirmed that the Bill had been passed in Parliament and, as per parliamentary procedure, would soon be passed in the House of Senate.
Somntongo MP Nxumalo, expressing his frustration at what he described as a lack of urgency in the enactment of the Bill into law, raised his concerns with the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela, during the ministry’s quarter performance report debate last week.
“There is a need for the three ministries to work jointly to speed up the process of this Bill, because emaSwati’s lives are at risk minister,” proclaimed the MP.
The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Bill 2024 is a legal framework for the safe use of nuclear technology and radiation sources. This Bill, developed with the support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), aims to govern all aspects of nuclear safety, security, energy applications and civil liability.
More details can be found in today’s paper.
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