BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – Eswatini is set to host a significant regional healthcare gathering that will bring together health experts, policymakers, researchers and development partners to exchange knowledge, share scientific evidence and promote solutions aimed at strengthening healthcare systems across East, Central and Southern Africa.
The Kingdom will host the 16th East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) Best Practices Forum (BPF) and the 32nd Directors Joint Consultative Committee (DJCC) Meeting from August 5–7, 2026 at The George Hotel in Manzini.
The high-level event will bring together policymakers, health leaders, scientists, innovators, development partners and government representatives from across the ECSA region to discuss research findings, healthcare innovations and best practices that can be adopted and scaled up to improve health outcomes.
Hosted by ECSA-HC member states on a rotational basis, the forum provides a platform for countries to share experiences and identify effective interventions that can strengthen healthcare delivery and address common health challenges.
Speaking during a media briefing held on August 4, 2026, ECSA-HC Director of Operations and Institutional Development Sibusiso Sibandze said the forum would allow countries to learn from successful healthcare programmes and use evidence-based approaches to influence policy and improve services.
“It is an event that provides a platform for discussion of scientific evidence and research results from the region. We share best practices in healthcare, looking at what is working, what can be adopted and what can be scaled up across the region,” said Sibandze.
He said the gathering brings together scientists, policymakers, governments and development partners who work collectively to identify practical solutions that can enhance healthcare systems across the region.
The Best Practices Forum will focus on showcasing healthcare innovations, research outcomes and programmes that have achieved positive results, creating opportunities for member states to adopt approaches that can benefit their populations.
The forum will be followed by the 32nd Directors Joint Consultative Committee (DJCC) Meeting, where recommendations from the Best Practices Forum will be reviewed and considered for possible integration into regional health policies and programmes.
Sibandze explained that the DJCC is made up of representatives from ECSA-HC member states, including Directors of Medical Services from Ministries of Health, representatives from health faculties of universities, and heads of national health research institutions.
“They receive the recommendations that come from the Best Practices Forum so that they can inform policy for the region,” he said.
The ECSA-HC comprises 10 member states that collaborate on shared health priorities through research, knowledge exchange and evidence-based interventions aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
Eswatini’s hosting of the forum comes as the Kingdom continues to play a key role in regional health coordination as the current Chair of the Health Ministers’ Conference (HMC). Through this role, Eswatini is hosting major ECSA-HC activities, including the Best Practices Forum and DJCC Meeting.
Ahead of the event, Minister of Health and Chairman of the Health Ministers’ Conference, Honourable Mduduzi Matsebula, MP, visited The George Hotel in Manzini on August 3, 2026 to assess preparations and ensure that the country is ready to welcome regional delegates.
During the visit, Minister Matsebula held discussions with ECSA-HC Director General Dr Ntuli Kapologwe on the final preparations for the forum, which is expected to provide a platform for sharing scientific evidence, research findings and successful healthcare interventions that can be adopted and expanded across the region.
Following Eswatini’s term as Chair of the Health Ministers’ Conference, the Republic of Uganda is expected to take over hosting responsibilities for the conference and related ECSA-HC activities.The upcoming forum is expected to strengthen regional cooperation, promote innovation in healthcare and contribute towards the development of strategies that improve healthcare outcomes for communities across East, Central and Southern Africa.
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