BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – Government has moved to strengthen patient care at the National Psychiatric Centre through a joint assessment aimed at addressing concerns over conditions, staffing and service delivery at the facility.
The assessment, launched on Thursday, September 10, 2026, is being conducted under the constitutional mandates of the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration/Integrity (CHRPA) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), including Sections 164(1)(b) and 186(2)(b) of the Constitution of Eswatini.
The move follows widespread public concerns, with the Commissions citing reports of patient neglect, critical drug shortages, overcrowding, inter-patient harm, poor sanitation, food insecurity and understaffing.
The exercise is also aligned with the African Charter on Principles and Values of Public Service and Administration, which promotes dignity, transparency, accountability, equity and protection of vulnerable groups.
Human Rights Deputy Commissioner Duduzile Dlamini-Nhlengethwa said the process was intended to find solutions rather than simply highlight problems.
“The assessment is purely constructive and solution-oriented,” Dlamini-Nhlengethwa said.
She said the Commissions would establish an accurate factual record and measure compliance with legal and regional standards.
“We want to ensure that the rights, dignity and overall well-being of vulnerable patients are protected,” she said.
The assessment will cover governance, staffing, resources, infrastructure, patient care, safety and grievance mechanisms through document reviews, inspections and confidential engagements with stakeholders.
It will be conducted in four stages. The first involves the launch, engagement with management and inspection of the facility. Over the next five days, investigators from both Commissions will conduct a comprehensive assessment to inform a joint report.
The third stage will involve engagements with relevant Ministries to present findings and agree on implementation timelines, while the final stage will monitor the implementation of recommendations.
The Commissions expect to complete the inquiry within 30 working days. The resulting joint report will contain evidence-based findings, prioritised recommendations and an action matrix assigning responsibilities and timelines.
Implementation will be monitored at three, six and 12-month intervals.
Civil Service Commission Chairperson Simangaliso Mamba said the exercise was not intended to target employees, but to identify challenges and determine where government support was required.
“This is not about firing staff. It is about identifying the challenges and finding out where government can come in and provide support,” Mamba said.
He said quality healthcare should be delivered in an environment that protects patients’ dignity.
“Every Liswati has a right to proper medical care,” Mamba said.
Mamba added that understanding the institution’s operational challenges would help government determine appropriate interventions.
“We need to understand what is affecting the institution so that we can identify the appropriate interventions,” he said.
The Commissions said the process ultimately seeks to strengthen systems supporting care at the National Psychiatric Centre while restoring public confidence in the institution.
“The most vulnerable among us deserve safe, dignified care,” the Commissions stated.
They called on stakeholders to engage openly during the process, saying cooperation would be essential to improving quality and ensuring lasting change at the facility.
The assessment marks a coordinated effort by the two Commissions to translate public concerns into evidence-based action, with the ultimate goal of improving conditions and protecting the dignity of patients receiving mental healthcare.
#Eswatini #Manzini #HumanRights #MentalHealth #HealthcareImprovement #PublicAccountability #CivilServiceCommission #NationalPsychiatricCentre #EswatiniPositiveNews
