BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE – His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokhela, the Hon. Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, led a high-level Eswatini delegation in a bilateral meeting with Mr Gashaw Gebeyehu Wolde, Acting Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Division for Africa, and his team during the 69th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria.
The meeting focused on Eswatini’s urgent plans to harness nuclear science and technology for sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on establishing a cancer treatment, or radiotherapy, facility at the Government Hospital in Manzini. With cancer claiming 88 lives per 100 000 Emaswati, HRH Prince Lonkhokhela stressed the critical need for immediate action to improve healthcare outcomes.
During discussions, the Minister appealed to the IAEA for support in providing funding solutions, expert guidance for preliminary structural designs, and assistance with benchmarking exercises. These measures, he explained, would enable Eswatini to establish a radiotherapy facility to the highest international standards, ultimately saving lives and enhancing access to critical healthcare services.
Highlighting the value of global collaboration, HRH Prince Lonkhokhela said, “This is not a project for Eswatini alone, but for humanity as a whole,” underscoring the shared responsibility in addressing the cancer burden.
The delegation also explored opportunities to strengthen partnerships with other African countries in sharing knowledge and best practices on cancer treatment and nuclear science applications. Such cooperation aims to benefit regional healthcare development and capacity building.
The bilateral engagement marks a significant step forward in Eswatini’s efforts to leverage nuclear technology to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and ensure sustainable development, demonstrating the country’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens.
(Courtesy Pics)
