TROUBLE – RIDDEN Mbabane Government Hospital might just be given a lifeline.
It has since surfaced that the Luke Commission (TLC) might rescue the country’s biggest public health facility by affording it some of the essential medication it needs.
This was confirmed by Lindani Sifundza, is TLC Director of Communications. He was responding to questions on whether the ministry of health or any other arm of government had formally made the request. This was after impeccable sources informed this publication that TLC has been sought for assistance while means to procure the drugs were made.
The drugs shortage issue has seen the Mbabane Government Hospital workers picketing and delivering petitions to management, the ministry of health, Parliament and Cabinet. All this was so that government addresses the issue, and the hospital’s management to implement provisional measures in order to continue servicing the public with the little available resources.
The current state of affairs at the hospital has resulted in the resolution by healthcare workers to only admit emergencies and advise patients, who are willing, to self-admit at home.
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“The Luke Commission has recently been approached by officials requesting assistance with medication and medical supplies. These kind of requests are not unusual between partnerships that serve overlapping patient populations and share a common commitment to the nation’s wellbeing,” said Sifundza.
He added that over the years, TLC had done its best to assist where possible, and that their commitment to respond in times of national need had never wavered. He said the recent request by government was made informally, but TLC maintained open communication with various arms of government.
When asked if government had specified the quantity and type of drugs sought from TLC, Sifundza said generally, the request mentioned a variety of essential medications and medical supplies.
“As with all such requests, we always welcome further clarity on specific quantities and formulations to ensure accurate and effective assistance, subject to what is available from our stock and in compliance with national pharmaceutical regulations,” he stated.
When asked if TLC had the capacity to assist the Mbabane Government Hospital with the pharmaceuticals needs, Sifundza said although TLC maintained a focused pharmaceutical reserve primarily for its hospital and its outreach operations, the institution always did its best to contribute when national needs arise. He added that all drug distribution had to comply with Eswatini’s national pharmaceutical regulations.
“Importantly, TLC operates under strict donor accountability and inventory control systems, which require documentation and traceability for any medicines or medical supplies transferred.
“We are open to working within these frameworks to ensure that support reaches those in need responsibly and safely,” he said.
Adding, he reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to deepening its support wherever possible. “Our hands and hearts have always been open to the nation. In moments like these, collaboration not competition is essential. We remain dedicated to supporting Emaswati, especially the most vulnerable, and continue to welcome partnerships grounded in trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for national healing,” said Sifundza.
Furthermore, he said TLC was encouraged by the spirit of cooperation, and recognised that this is a time that requires unity and shared purpose.
On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla said government was working around the clock to ensure that the issues engulfing the country’s health sector were addressed promptly.
On the shortages of drugs and human resource that had been brought forward by the Mbabane Government Hospital’s healthcare workers, she said government had already started the drugs procurement process as orders for critical medications had already been released to suppliers. While means to expedite the procurement process were being done, Dladla said government was doing all it could to ensure that the public continuously received the medical assistance they need at the hospital.
The DPM also said the ministry of health had also forwarded a list of vacant posts that need to be filled to the ministry of public service and civil service commission (CSC) to start the recruitment process.
