BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE- The Ministry of Health, together with Taiwan in Eswatini and other partners, led a vibrant commemoration of World Diabetes Day 2025, highlighting ongoing efforts to prevent and manage diabetes across the country.
The event took place at the Mbabane Municipality Parking Space on 14 November 2025.
The event brought together health officials, community members, and partners to raise awareness about diabetes, a growing public health concern affecting both adults and children.
Minister for Health, Hon. Mduduzi Matsebula (MP), addressed the audience, emphasising that diabetes is a life-changing condition that affects physical, emotional, and economic well-being, and that urgent action is required to prevent its rise.
The Ministry of Health has implemented comprehensive measures to tackle the diabetes epidemic. These include integrating diabetes screening and management into primary health care services, training health workers for early detection, expanding access to essential medicines and diagnostics, and conducting community awareness campaigns promoting healthy lifestyle.
The Minister highlighted findings from the 2024 STEPS survey, which revealed that over 90% of adults have at least one risk factor for diabetes, and 3.7% of the population currently live with the disease, with numbers projected to double by 2030 if preventive measures are not scaled up.
He also raised concern over the rising prevalence of Type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents, calling for urgent interventions.
The Ministry’s initiatives have been strengthened through collaboration with partners including Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), World Diabetes Foundation, Taiwan ICDF, and Life For A Child, who have provided technical, financial, and material support to improve diabetes care nationwide.
Adding energy to the commemoration, Minister Matsebula led participants in aerobics facilitated by Shukuma Eswatini, highlighting the importance of physical activity in preventing and managing diabetes.
Among the participants was Thulile Dlamini, an elderly resident of Mangwaneni, who expressed her satisfaction with the health checks provided: “I am pleased that I now know my sugar levels. It helps me take better care of my health,” she said.
“Together, we can turn the tide against diabetes and build a healthier Eswatini,” the Minister concluded, urging citizens to take advantage of the Ministry’s programmes and embrace healthier lifestyles.
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