BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI – For years, seeking specialised medical care has sometimes meant leaving home. Now, Eswatini is looking at the possibility of changing that journey and even welcoming patients from beyond its borders.
Minister of Health Hon. Mduduzi Matsebula raised this possibility during a visit to ONCAURA Wellness Centre, where he toured the facility and viewed some of the technology and equipment used in cancer treatment.
The visit gave the minister a closer look at the specialised services available locally, including equipment used to provide radiation treatment to cancer patients. Matsebula said he was encouraged by the level of technology at the centre, noting that some of the equipment he encountered are not available in other countries.
It was this observation that opened a bigger conversation about what specialised healthcare could mean for Eswatini. According to the minister, the country could potentially attract patients from neighbouring countries and elsewhere who are looking for specialised treatment. Such a development would place Eswatini in a different position within the region’s healthcare landscape.
The comments also come at a time when cancer care continues to require specialised diagnosis, treatment and technology, making access to appropriate medical facilities an important part of the healthcare journey. During the visit, Matsebula encouraged Emaswati to have confidence in specialised facilities within the country and to make use of services available locally.
For patients and their families, the growth of specialised healthcare at home could mean more treatment options without necessarily having to travel across borders.
The minister’s visit therefore offered more than a tour of medical equipment. It highlighted a possible shift in how Eswatini approaches specialised healthcare building local capacity not only to serve Emaswati, but potentially to become a destination for patients seeking advanced care in the region.
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