LOBAMBA – Shiselweni I MP Shawnette Henwood has questioned whether hospitals can support patients facing food shortages during a possible drought.
Henwood raised the concern during debate on the Ministry of Health’s second-quarter performance report.
She asked whether the ministry had made preparations for a possible El Niño-related drought and its effects on patients who depend on medication.
“Has the ministry prepared anything for the anticipated El Niño?” she asked.
Henwood warned that food shortages could leave some patients taking medication without eating.
She recalled that the ministry previously provided food to some patients and asked why the programme had ended.
The MP wanted to know what assistance would be available if drought conditions made it difficult for patients to obtain food.
Henwood also raised concerns about access to cancer treatment.
She said patients who underwent cancer screening needed timely assistance after diagnosis.
She pointed to a backlog of cases involving patients awaiting support from the Phalala Fund and called for intervention.
Henwood also asked when bagcugcuteli would receive their proposed allowance increase.
While acknowledging improvements in the ministry’s performance, she said more work was needed before emaSwati could be satisfied with public health services.
MPs want dialysis services closer to patients
LOBAMBA – MPs have called for dialysis services at more hospitals to reduce patients’ journeys to Mbabane Government Hospital.
During debate on the Ministry of Health’s performance report, legislators raised concerns about dialysis machines that were not operating at some public hospitals.
They said the situation forced patients requiring dialysis to travel long distances for treatment.
Some MPs told Parliament that they personally contributed towards the monthly treatment costs of certain patients.
They called on the ministry to decentralise dialysis services so that patients could obtain treatment closer to their communities.
Responding to questions about dialysis, Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula said machines would begin operating later in the month.
MPs demand antivenom at all hospitals
LOBAMBA – MPs have called for antivenom at all public hospitals amid concerns about snakebites during hot weather.
Sithobelweni MP Vincent Sihlongonyane questioned why antivenom appeared to be available at certain hospitals but not others.
He said high temperatures in his constituency and other parts of the Lubombo Region increased concerns about snakebites.
Sihlongonyane asked what prevented the ministry from ensuring that all public hospitals had antivenom.
Nkomiyahlaba MP Mantunta Dlamini also called for wider availability of antivenom as temperatures rose.
LaMgabhi MP Sicelo Jele asked whether all public hospitals stocked antivenom.
He said he had heard of snakebite patients being transferred to The Luke Commission for treatment.
Jele urged the ministry to address the availability of antivenom at other hospitals.
Cabinet-approved allowance increase still delayed
LOBAMBA – A Cabinet-approved allowance increase for bagcugcuteli remains unimplemented amid discussions between the health and finance ministries.
Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula told Parliament that Cabinet had approved the increase but that implementation remained unresolved.
He said the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance were still discussing the matter.
Matsebula also cited the absence of legislation governing the work of bagcugcuteli as a challenge.
He described the existing allowance arrangement as operating on a deal basis.
The minister said the two ministries were working to resolve the matter. His explanation followed questions from MPs about delays in increasing allowances for bagcugcuteli, who provide services in communities.
Sithobelweni MP Vincent Sihlongonyane also called for greater support and empowerment of bagcugcuteli.
MP questions oncology centre regulations
LOBAMBA – Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo has questioned whether an oncology centre in Manzini operates under appropriate local regulations.
Nxumalo told Parliament that the centre operated under international regulations but lacked local regulations.
He urged Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula to engage the Minister for Tourism to address the matter.
The MP did not identify the specific regulations he believed were missing in the information provided.
Nxumalo also spoke about progress on the Cannabis Bill, saying the legislation had attracted considerable interest.
He called for benchmarking and consultations at tinkhundla before the Bill progressed.
Responding, Matsebula welcomed progress on the Cannabis Bill and said the country was awaiting investors.
He expressed hope that investment linked to the sector would benefit the economy.
