LOBAMBA – Minister for Health Mduduzi Matsebula declared he is not exempt from arrest if found to have played any role in the country’s drug shortages.
Matsebula made this assertion yesterday during the ministry’s portfolio committee debate on the first quarter performance report for the 2025/26 financial year in Parliament.
This was in response to senators’ inquiries on why government continued to do business with suppliers red-flagged by investigations into the drug crisis in public hospitals and clinics.
Senator Sicelo Dlamini was among the legislators who expressed dismay that the government was still engaging with individuals implicated in the ministry’s drug shortage investigations.
The senator highlighted the long-standing nature of the drug issue, stating their desire to support the ministry in advancing the recently tabled Eswatini Medical Suppliers Agency Bill, 2025.
This Bill aims to establish the Eswatini Medical Suppliers Agency, convert the Central Medical Stores Department into this agency and ensure the efficient procurement, storage and distribution of essential medical supplies within the public sector.
Senator Chief Mphatfwa echoed this concern, pointing out that a known supplier who provided the government with expired drugs continued to be considered for tenders.
“I believe that the suppliers are known to the ministry, but sadly, they continue to be engaged for business, and it is disturbing. I wouldn’t be surprised if government continues tendering with them and actually has unpaid invoices with them,” submitted the senator.
In response, Matsebula stated that they encouraged the arrest of all implicated parties, including himself, if found to have contributed to the drug shortage crisis. Matsebula clarified that the issue of expired drugs was not new, dating back to 2008.
He explained that the standard practice was not to accept drugs with a shelf life of less than 18 months, but there were exceptional cases where the ministry would accept drugs with a shorter shelf life, provided they would be utilised before their expiry date.
Meanwhile, the minister affirmed his commitment to remaining visible and updating the nation on the ministry’s progress regarding drug procurement and distribution.
This was in response to a concern by Senator Sicelo Dlamini that he sometimes posted videos showing boxes of delivered medication, yet a contrasting narrative of empty boxes was being circulated.
The minister clarified that it would be criminal for him to stand next to empty boxes and that the videos indeed showed delivered drugs.
“Some people are pushing the narrative that there is absolutely no medication at public health facilities, yet there is. We agree that some drugs are out of stock, but it is not all of them as some people claim, and we can’t fold arms and sit back as a ministry when such narratives are pushed; we have to give updates to the nation,” he said.
Senator Lorraine Nxumalo enquired about the ministry’s contingency plan for stock-outs, asking if they were reported in a timely manner. The minister clarified that inaccurate stock-taking was a significant contributor to drug shortages, as some health institutions failed to report stock-outs promptly.
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